Sally Butler sues Queensland Government over childhood sexual abuse by teacher Peter Malone

A mother is suing the State Government for almost $6 million after she was abused by a paedophile teacher who offended at several schools in Brisbane.

A deeply traumatised mother of two is suing the State Government for almost $6 million in damages following her childhood sexual abuse by a teacher jailed twice for indecency offences at several Queensland schools.

Sally Louise Butler, 33, said she had “lived a life of hell” after being repeatedly molested by Peter Matthew Malone at Stafford State School, in Brisbane’s north, in 2001.

Ms Butler, whose negligence claim totals $5,911,498.45, said mediation with the Department of Education had been “drawn out, degrading and disappointing”, resulting in an application for a trial date being lodged in the Supreme Court this week.

“I want the government held accountable for negligence in allowing a paedophile to teach innocent little kids; it has ruined my life,” she said.

Ms Butler engaged Littles Lawyers two years ago, said the firm is also appealing for former students, parents and staff from four state-run schools where Malone taught between 1984 and the early 2000s to come forward.

Mother-of-three Sally Butler is suing the State Government over the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of paedophile teacher Peter Malone. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Malone was jailed in 2015 after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting seven Year 2 and 3 female students at Ferny Hills and Boondall state primary schools in the 1980s.

At the time of his 2014 arrest he was teaching Year 9 at the P-12 independent public school Earnshaw State College in Banyo.

The married father of three was jailed again in 2019 on 15 charges including indecent treatment of a child and maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.

Ms Butler was one of the victims who gave evidence at that trial.

Malone, now in his late 60s, is understood to have been dismissed from five schools on suspicion of indecent dealings with children but no charges were laid at the time.

Speaking exclusively for the first time to The Courier-Mail, Ms Butler said her abuse at age 12 had caused her to distrust men – including her father who had raised her as a single dad until she ran away from home – and led to a “horrific life” involving drug and alcohol addiction, attempted suicide, unemployment and ongoing psychiatric disorders.

“Malone was a monster who preyed on us in front of each other in class; we were terrified of him,” she said.

In her statement of claim, filed in the Supreme Court, Ms Butler said the government had a “non-delegable duty to take all reasonable care to avoid her suffering harm, and in particular, harm in the form of psychiatric injury as a result of sexual abuse while a student at the school”.

Former Brisbane teacher Peter Matthew Malone. Picture: Dan Peled

She claimed the government “knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that there existed a foreseeable risk of harm” because it was “in the control of her teacher”, had a “duty and ability to screen for appropriate teachers at the school” and an “ability to observe activities within the classroom”.

The government was also “vicariously liable” given the complete power, authority and control it bestowed on Malone in the classroom, which she said “allowed or fostered an environment where teachers, such as Malone, were allowed to be alone with children”.

According to her claim, Ms Butler was sexually abused multiple times a week by Malone.

The attacks consisted of digital penetration and fondling of her vagina and anus, during which time he would rub his penis and testicles against her, Ms Butler’s claim states.

Sally Butler the year before she was abused by her teacher Peter Malone at Stafford State School. Picture: Supplied

The assaults principally occurred in the classroom when she was required by Malone to move to his desk “under the pretence of interaction associated with her studies”.

As a result of the abuse, Ms Butler said she had suffered “incredible trauma” and a dysfunctional personal and professional life.

Despite brief stints working at Spotlight, Coles, TK Maxx and Hamilton’s Riverview Motel, she was unable to hold down a job and required medication to function.

Littles Lawyers partner Kate Ross has urged witnesses from Boondall and Ferny Grove state schools in 1984/85, Stafford State School from the 1990s to early 2000s, and Earnshaw State College in the 2000s to come forward.

“All calls will be treated in confidence and we are happy to take anonymous calls (on 07 32250777),” Ms Ross said.

Malone taught in the state system for almost 40 years, starting his career in indigenous communities in regional Queensland.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it was unable to comment on matters before the courts.