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Schools & Sexual Abuse
Sexual Abuse at Schools
Over the past 60 years or more, the sexual abuse of children has occurred in hundreds of Anglican and Catholic-run schools in Australia (1). Many Brothers, teachers and clergy have faced criminal charges for their crimes and been sent to prison.
Regardless of the perpetrator’s status or if they have since died, you can make a claim if you have suffered sexual abuse or sexual assault at school. Many schools, including the following, are known for crimes perpetrated on their watch:
- Marist Brothers High School Maitland
- Marist Brothers Penshurst
- Marist College Eastwood
- Marist Brothers Hamilton
- Assemblies of God Churches
- De La Salle College Bankstown
- HMAS Nirimba
- Knox Grammar School
- Melrose Primary School
- Scotch College Perth
- St Ignatius College, Riverview
- St Stanislaus College, Bathurst
- Waverley College, Bondi
- Dee Why Primary School
- Nowra Primary School
- Lyneham
- Northbridge Primary School
- Milson’s Point Primary
- Christian Brothers, Manly
- Scots College, Sydney
- St Ignatius College, Riverview
- St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill
- Sydney Church of England Grammar School, (Shore)
- Northbridge Public School
- All Saints Anglican Church Hunters Hill
- De La Salle College Revesby
- Carlisle Swimming School
- Hunters Hill Scouts
- Launceston Grammar School
Victims of Abuse
Many claimants do not have accurate dates or clear memories of abuse. Coping mechanisms and the passing of time deteriorate past traumatic experiences. We help piece together individual claims using our broad network to file:
Sexual abuse claims
Physical abuse claims
Institutional abuse claims
Historical sexual abuse claims
Why Children Were Afraid to Tell
In educational settings, particularly in private schools and religious schools, children were afraid to tell anyone about the harmful sexual behaviours, sexual acts or sexual misconduct by school staff. Their fear included the authority and high status of those who sexually assaulted them.
Priests were seen as gods
Children in religious schools were taught that priests and clergy had divine power and represented God on earth. Children also feared being ostracised; they were terrified of being blamed and of telling their religious families about the abuse. They feared it would shame their school or church if they embarked on school sexual abuse claims.
Grooming and manipulation
Children were also subjected to psychological manipulation and grooming by and on behalf of perpetrators, all of which damaged their self-esteem and destroyed their trust. Many victims who came forward to the Royal Commission were men who experienced child sexual assault or abuse, emotional or physical abuse as children in religious schools and who told of grooming behaviour and manipulation.
Sadly, the attitude of the school boards and religious authorities was to believe and protect the abusers rather than to protect children. No appropriate action was taken to improve child safety. This fact and the ingrained policies of these religious schools were publicised widely during and after the Royal Commission.
Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in both primary and secondary schools and boarding schools, religious and non-religious, gave heartrending evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse(1). Victims, especially from non-government schools, told of a school sexual abuse policy and cultural secrecy that barred them from disclosing the institutional sexual abuse. These cultures and policies meant there were no pathways for children to reveal what had occurred safely. And when they did disclose to family members that they had been sexually abused, the authorities did not respond adequately. Instead, in the vast majority of cases, they often simply moved the perpetrator to another diocese, as often occurred within the Catholic schools and churches.
Child Sexual Abuse & Personal Injury
If you have suffered historical sexual abuse, sexual harassment or emotional abuse in a religious school setting, on school camps, or by a priest, sports coach or staff member, you may be eligible for compensation under the Australian Government National Redress Scheme.
At IACHA, we have compensation lawyers well versed in personal injury law and child abuse cases ready to help you if you decide to take legal action. Many adult survivors have at last received the validation and compensation they deserve for their childhood trauma through taking action. It is never too late to be heard.
Why Call us at IACHA?
Our goal at IACHA is to shine a light on these injustices by making your story known to the institutions and school settings where you experienced sexual assault or abuse. We aim to help you succeed in your bid to gain compensation for the abuse you suffered when your school, religious ministry or educational institutions failed in their duty of care.
Schools are meant to protect students, and student safety must be a priority. If you have experienced sexual abuse in a Catholic school, an Anglican school or on any school’s premises where you attended classes or lectures, contact us today on 1300 679 222 or send us a message on the convenient online form. Remember, you have a right to compensation.
Email info@iacha.com.au
It's never too late.
Promote truth. Victims of abuse. Compensation is your right.