Law firm investigates historical child sexual abuse allegations at Highlands Christian College

Lawyers representing a man who alleges he was abused at a religious school want to speak with former students and staff. The school has responded to say it found no evidence in support of the historical allegations.

Highlands Christian College, Toowoomba.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has called for witnesses to come forward as it investigates claims of historical child sexual abuse at Highlands Christian College.

The firm is representing a man who is alleged to have been the victim of repeated and sustained abuse at the school in the late 1990s.

But the College’s lawyer Ashley Gullo, has said the school would defend the man’s civil action and stood by the school’s safety record.

“The protection and safety of children and students is Highlands Christian College’s paramount concern,” he said.

Maurice Blackburn state team leader Heather Kerley said the alleged perpetrator was a religious figure associated with the school, and was in a position of trust.

“There were a number of interconnected agencies and facilities at the school, like the kindergarten,” she said.

“Staff from those various facilities could come and go and have involvement with the students.

“As a result of that unquestioned trust, a person abused that trust and took a child from their classes and kindergarten, to somewhere elsewhere on the grounds to abuse them.”

In a bid to bolster its civil case, Maurice Blackburn asked for people who were associated with the school in the late ‘90s to come forward.

“Often we find there are other people who know someone who was involved, or who may have seen something that did not sit right,” Ms Kerley said.

Highlands Christian College was formally known as Christian Outreach College.

Located in Middle Ridge, the school offers Prep to Year 12 classes.

Ms Kerley said that it may be as simple as recalling classmates being taken out of class, or something that seemed “out of routine”.

Maurice Blackburn associate Heather Kerley, State Team Leader (QLD/NT).

“Even if they did not see abuse, often we can find those little details about culture and movement of students can be really helpful in building the case,” she said.

“Our client is one person going up against a mammoth institution, and in these types of cases there is a significant power imbalance.

“The only way that balance can be rectified is by calling on the masses.

“Any other allegation of abuse would be highly helpful, irrespective of when the abuse is alleged to have occurred.”

It is understood the alleged abuser was involved with several religious and education entities across Queensland.

Ms Kerley said the alleged abuser has denied the allegations.

Mr Gullo, of Brandon and Gullo Personal Injury Lawyers, is representing the school and denied all the allegations.

“Other than the allegation made by the claimant himself in his claim form, we hold no proof of the historical allegation made by the claimant,” he said.

Mr Gullo added that the school would defend the civil action and stood by the school’s safety record.

“The protection and safety of children and students is Highlands Christian College’s paramount concern,” he said.

“Its reputation in this regard is notable.

“It is a safe school for children and families.

“We note no claim has been made against the alleged perpetrator. Only against the school.

It is understood the matter was reported to the detectives at Toowoomba Child Protection Investigation Unit.

They have been contacted for comment.

“After receiving notice of the allegation, despite the claimant being an adult, Highlands Christian College still reported the allegation to the Toowoomba Police CPIU for their investigation,” Mr Gullo said.

“This is the school’s usual practice, to immediately report any claims or matters of concern to the appropriate authorities for their investigation.

“Further, the school appointed an independent firm of investigators to investigate the claims made by the Claimant.

“There was no evidence found in support of the historical allegations.”

Originally published as Law firm investigates historical child sexual abuse allegations at Highlands Christian College