Arnold Thomas & Becker is acting for a woman who is suing the University of Melbourne over an alleged sexual assault by one of her lecturers in the 1960s. She was a student at the university, and under 18, at the time. Her claim, filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria earlier this year, alleges the university failed in its duty to protect her. She says it knew, or should have known, about the risk the lecturer posed to young female students. What our client alleges Our client, who has chosen not to be identified, alleges that the late lecturer Alan Lephart joined her and a group of classmates for a drink at a local pub. She had planned to catch public transport home. Instead, she alleges, Mr Lephart bought her a drink and offered to drive her home, saying it was on his way. She alleges she fell asleep or lost consciousness during the drive and woke to find him assaulting her. According to the claim, Mr Lephart had a reputation among female students for pursuing sexual relationships with them, and was known by a nickname that reflected this. A claim about the institution, not just one man Mr Lephart died in 2022. Our client’s claim is against the University of Melbourne, which she says owed her a non-delegable duty of care to protect her from foreseeable harm. Central to the case is the allegation that there was no effective way for students to report abuse and have it dealt with. Our client says that if such a system had existed, she and other students would have raised concerns about Mr Lephart, and she would not have been harmed. The university has said it is committed to a safe and respectful environment. It has declined to comment further because the matter is before the court. “Institutions must be held accountable” Gabrielle Verhagen, an Associate at Arnold Thomas & Becker, is representing the woman. “Universities owe a duty of care to their students, and that duty is even greater when those students are under 18,” Ms Verhagen said. “Our case is that the University of Melbourne failed to protect a young woman in its care. We say the university knew, or ought to have known, that he posed a risk to students and should have acted.” Our client had planned to become a teacher. She alleges that the trauma of what happened took that career from her, along with years of her mental health and wellbeing. “Survivors of abuse often carry what happened to them in silence for decades,” Ms Verhagen said. “Whether the abuse happened last year or in the 1960s, survivors deserve to be heard, and institutions must be held accountable.” There is no time limit for survivors of child abuse in Victoria Many survivors don’t speak about their abuse until years or even decades later. That’s why Victorian law removed time limits for civil claims involving child abuse. If you were abused as a child in a school, university, church, sporting club, care home or other institution, you may still be able to seek compensation, no matter how long ago it happened. This is true even if the person responsible has since died, because the claim can be brought against the institution. How Arnold Thomas & Becker can help Our abuse law team has helped many survivors hold institutions to account. We understand how hard it can be to take the first step, and we’ll go at your pace. Confidential, obligation-free first conversation No win, no fee on eligible claims* Experienced, compassionate lawyers who understand trauma Call to action: Speak to us confidentially on 1800 [number] or [contact us online]. Support is available If this article has raised difficult feelings, help is available: 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7) Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) *No win, no fee applies to eligible claims. Terms and conditions apply. This article is general information only and is not legal advice. The claims described are allegations and have not been tested in court.