AFTER hearing from nearly 70 abuse victims, the board of inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools has published its final report.
In June last year, an inquiry into historical sexual abuse committed at Beaumaris Primary School and other schools where the alleged perpetrators worked was set up. The inquiry’s report was handed down in late February and has now been made public. Over the course of the inquiry, 68 victims came forward. More than 120 people in total spoke to the inquiry, including secondary victims and affected community members.
The inquiry focused on allegations against four people employed by Beaumaris Primary School between 1971 and 1972 – Graham Steele, Darrell Ray, David MacGregor, and a person who cannot be named for legal reasons. The inquiry also heard allegations against two other employees. At the recommendation of the board, a formal apology to students sexually abused at Beaumaris Primary School and other government schools between 1960 and 1994 is expected to be delivered later this year.
The inquiry’s report made nine recommendations in total, which included a formal apology, a memorial, the establishment of a statewide “truth-telling and accountability process” for victims of sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, the development of an online assistance and information hub for victims, and legislative change to ensure information provided to a board of inquiry is kept confidential for at least 99 years. The 466-page inquiry report read that the Victorian Department of Education’s response at the time of the offending was “wholly inadequate”.
In October last year, the inquiry confirmed that 24 schools would be included in the scope of the investigation. They included Chelsea Heights Primary School, Cowes Primary School, Drouin South Primary School, Kunyung Primary School, Warragul Primary School, and the closed Bundalong South Primary School. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has addressed the board’s findings. She says a formal apology will be developed, and that the other recommendations will be considered.
“We will continue to engage with victim-survivors who came forward to the board of inquiry when considering implementation of the government’s response, as well as the development of a formal apology to victim-survivors of abuse at Beaumaris Primary School and across Victorian government schools later this year,” Allan said. “When the Victorian Government established the board of inquiry into historical child sexual abuse at Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools, we wanted to give Victorians who were profoundly let down by the school system in decades past the opportunity to have their voices and experiences heard. More than 120 victim-survivors, secondary victims, affected community members and stakeholders came forward, placed their trust in the process and shared their experiences.
“Victim-survivors told of the lifelong and devastating impacts the abuse had on their mental health, education, employment outcomes, and relationships. Friends, families, and communities shared their own experiences and the impacts that the abuse had on their ability to care for their loved ones, their own mental health and wellbeing. Carrying these stories is a heavy burden, and while I know it won’t undo the pain, I hope that in sharing their experience, that it has given victim-survivors at Beaumaris Primary and certain other government schools the recognition and support they deserve.”
Legal firm Slater and Gordon confirmed on Friday that it is considering a class action lawsuit against the state government on behalf of the abuse survivors. Slater and Gordon Victorian abuse law practice leader Sam Carroll said “it was clear the Victorian government did not have any processes in place to adequately respond to sexual abuse in government schools or to protect the safety of children. It is our preliminary view that these failures may give rise to a potential claim for those affected by abuse at Victorian government schools during this time.”
“Slater and Gordon is considering the best way to assist those affected by these findings to obtain the compensation they deserve,” Carroll said.
The board of inquiry was chaired by Kathleen Foley SC. To read the inquiry’s full report visit beaumarisinquiry.vic.gov.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 13th March 2023