‘Felt like no one was listening’: Man allegedly sexually abused by teacher speaks out

An alleged sexual abuse victim at a Brisbane primary school says he broke down after a 68-year-old was arrested last week, accused of offences against 19 people.

The alleged sexual assault victim-survivor said he broke down after hearing of last week’s arrest. Picture: Richard Walker

A man who police claim was sexually abused by his Grade 4 teacher more than 30 years ago has called on alleged victims to come forward.

A former teacher – Stephen Patrick Andrew Kayser - was last week charged with historical child sexual offences following extensive investigations by detectives at Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit under Operation Whiskey Mott.

It will be alleged a now 68-year-old man committed 49 offences against 19 young people at a Brisbane primary school in the late 1980s.

The young people were all 10 years of age or under at the time of the alleged offending.

One of the alleged victim-survivors told The Courier-Mail that the alleged abuse occurred when he was in Grade 4.

The alleged victim, who cannot be identified to protect the other complainants, claimed that over the years he had suffered.

“It felt like no one was listening,” he said.

“I was self-medicating with (drugs) and alcohol – anything to drown out the dreams … I was suicidal.”

The alleged victim-survivor said he’d destroyed memories of primary school. Picture: Richard Walker

The man said he received a call from a detective at Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit earlier this year.

He said he “destroyed” all memories of primary school.

“I burnt the (school) photos, burnt the school uniform,” the alleged victim-survivor said.

Asked about the arrest last week, the man said: “I’m happy but I’m sick at the same time”.

“I broke down when I found out (about Kayser’s arrest),” he said.

Kayser’s matter was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, August 12.

The 68-year-old was granted bail under conditions he report three days a week and not have any contact with the alleged victim-survivors.

The matter was adjourned to Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 2.

Following extensive investigations detectives executed a search warrant at an address in Brisbane’s south on Saturday, August 10, where Kayser was taken into custody.

He has been charged with 27 counts of indecent treatment of children under 16, 17 counts of taking child for immoral purposes, five counts of common assault.

No pleas have been entered.

Detective Acting Inspector Deanna Geck of the South Brisbane Child Protection and Investigation Unit Crime Group, said police urged anyone with further information to come forward.

She confirmed all 19 complainants attended the same primary school and that the alleged offences occurred on school grounds.

“Crimes against children, who are our most vulnerable, are reprehensible and police are committed to pursuing every avenue of investigation to ensure we seek justice for them,” Detective Geck said.

“We encourage anyone who has any knowledge of this type of offending, is themselves a victim-survivor of sexual violence or has information to provide in relation to this investigation to come forward.”

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said officers were “committed to pursuing every avenue of investigation to ensure we seek justice”.

“If you’ve experienced sexual assault, it is not your fault and you are not alone,” she said.

“There are multiple ways to report what has happened to you depending on your situation.

“If there’s an immediate danger, call triple-0. You can also report online via: https://forms.police.qld.gov.au/launch/SexualAssault, over the phone or face-to-face at a police station.

“There are also Alternative Reporting Options available depending on your situation.

“For confidential information, counselling and support, call the statewide Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 or 1800 RESPECT for 24-hour help.”

Investigations are ongoing and police are providing support to those involved.