Blackfriars Priory School reveals two more former students have come forward with sexual abuse claims

Blackfriars says another two ex-students have come forward with sexual abuse allegations as the school confirms it is co-operating with court orders concerning the claims.

Two more former Blackfriars Priory School students have come forward alleging they suffered sexual abuse while studying there, the school says.

In a statement late on Thursday, the Catholic school also said it had “co-operated fully” with a District Court order to release its all of its files on sexual abuse allegedly committed by its former principal, Father Martin Wallace.

“Part of the files has been redacted to protect the privacy and wellbeing of individuals unrelated to the allegations made by the former Blackfriars student,” the school said.

Former Blackfriars Primary School principal Catholic priest Father Martin Wallace in 2000.

“It is the school’s understanding that, as a result of launching its own investigations last year, two further allegations have been made by former students.

“These allegations have been reported by the school to SA Police and other relevant authorities.”

One of the students has made allegations against Father Wallace, while the other has made allegations a different member of staff.

SA Police have not laid charges in relation to any allegations of abuse.

Earlier this month, The Advertiser revealed a former Blackfriars student claimed Father Wallace sexually assaulted him while he was a student in the early 2000s, according to court documents.

He further claimed that the school never reported the incident to police, and never spoke to him about it until March this year, when he was approached and offered a financial settlement.

The student instead launched legal proceedings, asserting in court documents Blackfriars had compiled “almost 100 documents” about alleged assaults perpetrated by Father Wallace during a 22-year “cover-up”.

He won a court order that Blackfriars turn its files over to his lawyer, Andrew Carpenter.

Father Wallace did not answer a request for comment on Thursday, but previously told The Advertiser he “would like to, but was not in a position to” respond to the allegations.

In its statement on Thursday, Blackfriars said it had reported the incident alleged by that student to police in 2002, and a copy of that report formed part of its files.

“We are deeply saddened by the allegations,” it said.

“The former student’s wellbeing is our highest priority and we have made him aware of the official reporting and support options available.”

On Thursday, Mr Carpenter said his firm had “been approached by a number of former students at the school regarding allegations of past sexual abuse”.

“It is appropriate for the school to be investigating the welfare of former students given that so many have come forward regarding serious allegations against different staff members,” he said.

“Websters Lawyers similarly urges anyone who may have been impacted by or witnessed any abuse to come forward to join the other brave individuals who have revealed their (alleged) abuse.

“The question of the extent to which the school has co-operated in disclosing relevant files and records is a continuing matter before the courts and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment on that issue.”