Abuse survivor takes to witness stand as she sues former science teacher and state government

Sexual abuse survivor Katrina Munting says when she tried to cut off contact with her predator, he became vindictive, treating her like “I was scum, that I was his rubbish”. LATEST >

Katrina Munting is suing her sexual abuser, Marcus Pollard, and the state of Tasmania, his former employer. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A WOMAN who was sexually abused by her high school science teacher has taken to the witness stand to tearfully recount how he made her feel “that I was scum, that I was his rubbish”.

Katrina Munting is suing both her abuser, former Rose Bay High teacher Marcus James Pollard, and his former employer, the state of Tasmania.

It’s believed to be the first historical child sexual abuse case against Tasmania’s state government that has reached trial stage, and not settled beforehand.

Pollard, who got out of jail nearly a year ago after serving 18 months for his crimes committed back in 1998 and 1999, has not showed his face at the civil trial.

Given his absence, Mrs Munting’s legal team had asked for the Supreme Court to make an order for damages, without the survivor needing to be re-traumatised by giving evidence in the witness stand.

Grace Tame and Katrina Munting outside the Supreme Court of Tasmania, Hobart in 2021. Picture: Chris Kidd.

But on Tuesday, Acting Justice David Porter declined to make such an order, noting Pollard had not made admissions to all the facts – both that he was convicted of, and in his civil defence lodged with the court.

In the latter documents, Pollard denies he repeatedly sexually assaulted and battered Mrs Munting on school premises, at a camp on Maria Island and at his Clifton Beach home.

He claimed instead that “physical contact” occurred between them, agreeing to some of Mrs Munting’s allegations, including having had massaged her shoulders, kissing and touching.

Pollard also denies, in his defence documents, that he pursued a relationship with Mrs Munting, or that he groomed her in order to “facilitate his sexual misconduct”.

He denies arranging “clandestine meetings” with Mrs Munting, including in the school’s photography darkroom, calling her, communicating with her in secret – then displaying “retributive and vengeful behaviour” after she tried to end contact with him.

Pollard says he never displayed passive-aggressive behaviour towards Mrs Munting by making “snide comments”, scoffing and throwing small objects at her.

But in the witness stand, Mrs Munting – supported by guide dog “Pixie” for emotional support – said Pollard would call her secretly, telling “me where to be, and when”, including in the photography dark room at least once a week.

She said after she was confronted by another teacher at the school, who made her feel she was to blame – leaving her feeling “disgusting, dirty, distraught, scared”.

Then when she ended contact with Pollard, Mrs Munting said his vindictive behaviour made her feel “that I was scum, that I was his rubbish”.

The state of Tasmania has admitted to vicarious liability for Pollard’s actions, in accordance with the findings during Pollard’s criminal proceedings.

The judge-only trial continues.

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Originally published as Abuse survivor takes to witness stand as she sues former science teacher and state government