Adelaide’s masked brother ‘A’ seeks to create Sabre Foundation so child abuse victims can help each other sue paedophiles
Child abuse victims will be able to sue paedophiles for compensation, and bolster each other’s lawsuits, under a new concept being pioneered by one of Adelaide’s “masked brothers”.
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He donned a mask to seek justice — now one of Adelaide’s “masked brothers” wants to forge a sword that will empower other child abuse victims to fight back against their tormentors.
The man known as “A” has joined forces with fellow abuse survivor and former NT Attorney-General John Elferink to create the Sabre Foundation.
The not-for-profit organisation is seeking to raise $1 million to investigate and sue paedophiles on behalf of their victims — who will bear no costs, win or lose.
Each successful case will help fund the next victim’s claim, meaning survivors will empower one another while stripping sex offenders of their assets.
On Tuesday, “A” said the Foundation was urgently needed because not all of Australia’s 1.4 million child abuse victims qualify for compensation under existing redress schemes.
“There are so many great organisations that provide, and rightfully so, a shield to victims and protect them as they go through trauma and the court process,” he said.
“We want to allow them to go on the offensive, to put a sword in their other hand and give them all they need to hold their abuser to account.”
Mr Elferink said the Foundation would allow survivors to “help others as they help themselves”.
“Successful lawsuits won’t just see victims receive their due compensation but also make a contribution to others — people they’ll never know or never meet,” he said.
“It offers them a chance to be part of another person’s solution as well as their own.”
“A” and his brother, known as “B”, were abused as children by Vivian Francis Deboo, who has been jailed until at least 2024.
During his case, they successfully campaigned for new legislation banning paedophiles from serving home detention sentences.
On Tuesday, “A” said his desire to help others was fuelled by the memory of his late friend “James”, suspected to also be a victim of Deboo.
“I felt really strongly that I needed to do something for him, to stand up for him and the 1.4 million other victims and survivors in this country,” he said.
“Going through the legal process is a roller coaster ride … I was fortunate to have great support but many don’t, and we’re going to give them the tools to seek justice.
“This is a very deserving space in the area of victim support that we’re hoping to be able to fill.”
Mr Elferink said many victims did not meet the criteria for compensation under existing redress schemes, instead receiving “bland, tofu” refusals.
That left them reliant upon SA’s Victims of Crime, which offers much smaller payouts or refuses claims due to the age of cases.
He said that, if the Foundation’s fundraising succeeded, victims could use its resources to sue paedophiles at the conclusion of criminal prosecutions.
Others who had chosen not to file charges could still seek to sue, with their allegations to be assessed by the Foundation’s volunteer staff.
“It will depend on the quality of evidence we can gather, but I have access to a lot of retired police officers who’ve indicated they are happy to assist with investigations,” he said.
“We acknowledge this won’t be for all victims, and some will struggle with the thought of having to fight for something like this, but some want and need this help.
“For me personally, I’ve lived a very good life in spite of what occurred to me as a child — this is my opportunity to give a little something back.”
For more information and to assist with fundraising, visit www.thesabrefoundation.org
■ The Sabre Foundation will support victims’ legal actions on a “no win, no fee” basis, and cover all court costs.
■ If the lawsuit is successful, the value of the legal work done will be deducted from the settlement and folded back into the Foundation.
■That allows the victim to keep the majority of the settlement while also helping fund other victims as they seek justice for themselves.
■ If a lawsuit ends without success, the victim will not be out of pocket at all.
■ Legal work will be conducted on behalf of the Foundation by legal practitioners and former police officers offering their time free of charge.