A former Scotch College student who allegedly suffered “irreparable” abuse at the hands of multiple teachers in the ‘80s is urging his peers to break their silence on similar incidents.

Our client Craig Marriott, who was enrolled at the prestigious all-boys schools between 1982 and 1986, is seeking compensation after years of alleged abuse – perpetrated by staff and his late adoptive father – contributed to psychiatric injuries and “irreversible” trauma.

In a writ filed to the Supreme Court, it’s alleged Mr Marriott was hit on the head, struck on the face, had his hair pulled, and was pushed to the ground in incidents perpetrated by at least six Scotch College teachers.

At the same time, Mr Marriott endured abuse at the hands of his late adoptive father, with incidents of physical, sexual and emotional trauma dating back to the 1970s.

“I very quickly became completely immersed in abuse both at home and at school,” Mr Marriott said.

“Prior to Scotch, I was in the state school system and school had been a haven for me, but once I got to Scotch College, it very quickly became clear that I was no longer safe.”

Mr Marriott told four teachers about his father’s abuse – including the school counsellor – and wrote an English essay about it, but the school failed to report it to authorities.

Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Aleksandar Dukovski said Mr Marriott was let down by systems and structures that weren’t either put in place or ignored.

“The abuse Craig suffered while in the care of Scotch College, combined with the school’s failure to act on repeated signs that he was in distress due to abuse at home, has had a profound impact on his life,” he said.

Mr Dukovski said the firm was seeking assistance from anyone who knew Mr Marriott between 1982 and 1986 or could identify the two cleaning staff.

“During the Royal Commission, reports were made alleging that at least 70 complaints from students related to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse suffered while under the care of Scotch College,” he said.

“We are seeking anyone who may have known Craig between 1982 and 1986, or who may have had similar experiences, to contact Arnold Thomas & Becker’s Melbourne office.”

Full story at The Herald Sun.

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