A former student of an elite private boys’ school in Melbourne has launched a class action against the Christian Brothers over claims of repeated historic sexual abuse.
Now 60 years old, the former St Kevin’s College student claims his teacher, Brother Welsh, made him stay behind after class several times in 1976, where he would inflict horrific sexual abuse on the Year 5 boy.
“The effects are terrible and ongoing, life-changing,” the man, who did not wish to be identified, told 9News.
“It leaves me in a state where I feel that I’m on a knife’s edge.
“For me it was a matter of do as I say, don’t say anything, nobody will believe you, your parents will go to jail.”
Law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker has filed a writ in the Supreme Court alleging the Christian Brothers were negligent and failed in their duty of care to the former student.
“We are seeking compensation by way of damages for our client’s pain and suffering … the cost of his medical expenses, and also in relation to his economic loss,” Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer Madeline Macriyiannis said.
The law firm is urging other St Kevin’s students who have endured instances of abuse, particularly in the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s, to come forward.
“We’re aware of a number of people who have come forward and made complaints about other brothers at the school, and we allege that the Christian Brothers should have been on notice [and] that there was a risk to students such as our client.”
The victim alleges his future was robbed by the abuse he allegedly endured at 10 years old.
“Everything slowly slipped away,” he said.
“What I believe I could have been, possibly earned, achieved in my life, I believe, has been sorely cut back, hamstrung, and torn away by my experience.
“[It] destroyed my employability, my earning potential, and… financially has ruined me.”
The Christian Brothers Oceania Province said it intends to “rigorously defend” the claims.
“The allegations made in these proceedings are against a deceased Brother who has no other complaints known to the Christian Brothers of any impropriety of any type, including in the manner alleged,” the congregation said in a statement.
“That parties attempt to publicly name this deceased Brother, who otherwise has an exemplary record, before any court has reached any finding of fact, is a gross distortion of the principles of natural justice and the process of the court.”
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
