Former Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick launches institutional abuse legal action

A former Surf Coast mayor is calling on institutional abuse survivors to seek support, as he launches legal action against two Catholic orders alleging he was groomed and abused by teachers at separate schools.

A former Surf Coast mayor is calling on institutional abuse survivors to seek support, as he launches legal action against two Catholic orders alleging he was groomed and abused by teachers at separate schools.

A writ filed in the Supreme Court by lawyers for Brian McKiterick, who is also a local policeman and former state political candidate, allege he was groomed and abused while a student in the 70s at both Parade College in Melbourne and St Vincent’s College in Bendigo.

The Trustees of the Christian Brothers and Trustee of the Vincentian Fathers are listed as defendants.

Brian McKiterick. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The writ alleges Mr McKiterick was groomed and abused by Parade Vice-principal and teacher Brother Duckworth during his time at Parade College, where he attended from Grade 6 to Form 3 between 1972 and 1975.

It also alleged he was again groomed and abused by Father Murray Wilson between From 3 and 5 while at St Vincent’s.

Mr McKiterick claimed the alleged grooming and abuse resulted in major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, and held back his career aspirations as a result.

The former mayor said he’d decided to come forward with his allegations as it was “just the right time”, and said action taken by other survivors of institutional abuse had made it easier to speak out about his trauma.

“I think there is a momentum around it as well,” Mr McKiterick said. “I think other people who have been abused have sort of been pioneers, they’ve done the hard yards and now allowed people like myself to feel comfortable coming forward.”

“This is just the tip of an iceberg where you don’t know who else has been involved, I’m sure it was a shock to a lot of people that I’ve come forward and it happened to me, because you don’t really show the scars. They are internal scars.

“I’m still nervous myself, how this will all pan out. It’s a long road. It’s a decision which has risk to yourself, mentally.

“But I feel better within myself having actually come out publicly.”

Mr McKiterick said he hoped by sharing his story he might help other survivors of institutional abuse take steps to seek support for their trauma, and even take action against those responsible.

“I think because of my position, coming forward can help build confidence for other people to make that decision to tell someone if they find it necessary.”

Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer Cameron Doig said it took “incredible courage” for Mr McKiterick to “break the powerful stigma and taboo surrounding child abuse”.

“After a lifetime of broken relationships, depression and anxiety, Brian is standing up,” Mr Doig said. “By claiming compensation, he is demanding that the Vincentians make him whole for Wilson’s abuse.”

“Brian is bravely speaking out to encourage others to do the same, and not suffer silently.

“Since the Royal Commission, Australians have learned the full extent of child abuse and understood the need to right the wrongs of the past. As more survivors are heard and believed, we remain committed to ensuring that individuals like Brian receive the compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives.”

The Trustees of the Christian Brothers and Trustee of the Vincentian Fathers were contacted for comment on Friday, but did not respond prior to deadline.

Originally published as Former Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick launches institutional abuse legal action