A former St Kevin’s College student who suffered “life-changing” sexual abuse as a ten-year-old in the 1970s is suing the Christian Brothers.

The man, who is now nearly 60, was raped multiple times in 1976, when he was in year five.

In a writ filed in the Supreme Court, he claims his teacher, Brother Welsh, ordered him to “stay behind after end-of-day prayers as he had been misbehaving in class”.

His lawyer, Madeline Macriyiannis from Arnold Thomas & Becker said “our client suffered brutal and horrific sexual abuse during his primary school years. He was let down by the school who we allege failed to provide a safe place for its students.”

“We also allege the school would have been aware of earlier incidents of sexual abuse but that nothing was done to protect students,” she said.

The lawyers are calling for other witnesses who were taught by Brother Welsh in the 1960s or 1970s to come forward, including former St Kevin’s students from that period.

They are also calling for students who attended the school in the mid 1990s for another claim against a rowing coach.

Full story at The Herald Sun.

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