Former student of Saint Ignatius College settles $750,000 lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse by pedophile Stephen Hamra
A lawsuit has exposed claims of an Adelaide private school child sex abuse cover-up, including allegations against a Catholic bishop that have consequences for a SANFL club.
Police & Courts
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A top private school knew a teacher was suspected of child abuse but did not fire him – nor warn the SANFL club for whom he billeted country junior players – before he raped a student, court documents allege.
The Advertiser can reveal a former St Ignatius College student has confidentially settled his $795,000 lawsuit over alleged abuse by former teacher and convicted sex offender Stephen Hamra.
The student alleged Hamra grabbed his arm, bent it behind his back and raped him in 2001, then threatened to have him expelled if he reported the assault.
He also accused the Jesuit school’s then principal – Greg O’Kelly, who went on to become a Catholic bishop – of negligence, alleging he had known Hamra was “under a cloud” of suspected child abuse since 1995.
He alleged Bishop O’Kelly – who stood in for Archbishop Philip Wilson during his prosecution and subsequent acquittal for covering up sex abuse – counselled, rather than fired, Hamra.
Finally, the student alleged St Ignatius never warned the West Adelaide Football Club about Hamra, despite knowing he “was in close contact” with rural players living at his home.
Hamra, who is serving a nine-year prison term for abusing children, was not a party in the lawsuit while the Jesuit Society of Jesus, which operates the school, denied any liability.
Last month, however, it and the student reached an out-of-court settlement – the terms of which are not known.
On Monday, West Adelaide chief executive Conny Wilson said the club would move swiftly in light of the lawsuit’s allegations.
“We take these matters extremely seriously and we will be taking immediate action,” she said.
“We will contact former players from the 1970s and 1980s and reaching out to anyone that might have come into contact with Stephen Hamra.”
“UNDER A CLOUD”
Hamra, 68, taught at both St Ignatius College and Christian Brothers College during his career.
In 2017 and 2018, he was found guilty of abusing two boys – who were not his students – between 1977 and 1986, and was jailed for that offending in 2019.
Also in 2018, a different former St Ignatius student claimed he was abused by Hamra in 1992 and, when he told the college in 1995, his complaint was “mishandled”.
That man claimed the college had paid him $10,000 compensation “without admitting wrongdoing”.
In his statement of claim, released to The Advertiser by the Supreme Court, the former student repeated his peer’s 1992 abuse allegations.
He alleged that complaint was one of “multiple instances” of “multiple students” reporting abuse by Hamra to Bishop O’Kelly.
“In 1995, Father O’Kelly met with (that student) and did not believe his statement … the student told Father O’Kelly ‘be it on your head if he does this to another boy’,” he said.
The former student alleged that, later in 1995, the school and Hamra reached an agreement by which the teacher “accepted” his “gestures of affection” toward boys were “inappropriate”.
He further alleged Hamra agreed to inform Bishop O’Kelly of “any proposed off-campus school-related activities” in which he would participate, so they could be “supervised”.
“From 1979 onwards, Hamra was also a volunteer at West Adelaide Football Club whereby he would billet rural junior football players at his property,” the former student alleged.
“The school was aware that Hamra was in close contact with children in this role … the school never advised West Adelaide Football Club of the allegations.”
He alleged that, a month after the agreement was struck, SA Police advised Hamra would not be prosecuted over the 1992 accusation.
“In December 1995, Father O’Kelly corresponded with Hamra advising that they ‘are still under a cloud on these matters’ and issues him with a formal warning,” he said.
“NO ONE WILL BELIEVE YOU”
The student alleged that, in 2000, Hamra was appointed to a position within the school that gave him “unsupervised, unfettered access” to its gymnasium, changerooms and showers.
That appointment was made, he alleged, “despite the school’s knowledge of the previous allegations made regarding his inappropriate dealings with children”.
The student alleged he was abused by Hamra just 12 months later.
“I was advised by another teacher that I should use the school gym and did so three-to-four times a week … Hamra opened it about 6.45am (each day),” he alleged.
“Hamra grabbed my arm, bent it behind my back and forced me to bend over … he forced me to open my mouth otherwise he would break my arm.
“I opened my mouth to prevent my arm being broken … Hamra continued to bend my arm around behind my back while he was raping me.
“After, he said words to the effect of ‘I suppose we will finish this later … now clean yourself up and don’t mention this, no one will believe you and I will be sure to have you expelled’.”
The student alleged that, in 2011, the school was informed by police of Hamra’s 1977-1986 offending.
In 2012, he alleged, Bishop O’Kelly conceded the 1992 incident was “utterly credible” and that “a boy was being hurt and I did not believe his version of the ordeal”.
He alleged St Ignatius was liable for his alleged rape, claiming it had prior knowledge of both Hamra’s “similar conduct” and “propensity to commit sexual assault”.
He alleged it failed to “take any adequate steps” to prevent him “from suffering sexual abuse despite its knowledge” of Hamra.
CLAIM SETTLED
In its defence papers, the school denied liability, saying it warned he would be fired if he were ever again to place himself “in a position for a boy to make allegations against him”.
Any illegal actions by Hamra were, it argued, “opportunistic” and did not represent a breach of the school’s duty of care to its students.
Court records show the parties reached an out-of-court settlement, leading to the former student discontinuing his lawsuit, on February 5.
On Tuesday, Ms Wilson said West Adelaide would take steps to ensure contact with and notification for its former rural junior players.
She said the club was committed to, and “vigilantly” abided by, all of its obligations under mandatory reporting and working with children legislation.
“In the first instance, I will be informing the president and the board, and I will also be contacting our lawyer for legal advice,” she said.
A spokesperson for St Ignatius College said the school “does not wish to comment on this matter at this time”.
“The college’s procedures have evolved significantly and student welfare is our highest priority,” they said.
The Advertiser has sought comment from Bishop O’Kelly.
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