Police to investigate historic sex abuse at northern beaches schools
A WHISTLEBLOWER who came forward after listening to a podcast on the disappearance of Lynette Dawson has prompted the state’s top child abuse and sex crime cop to head up an investigation into allegations of teacher-student relationships at northern beaches schools.
Manly
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THE state’s top child abuse and sex crime cop is heading up an investigation into allegations of historic sexual assaults and teacher-student relationships at northern beaches high schools.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and Northern Beaches Police Area Command have established Strike Force Southwood to identify and investigate allegations dating back to the 1980s.
High-profile Chief Inspector Paul Jacob, of the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, will lead the investigation.
Whistleblower Robyn Wheeler, 52, a former vice-captain at Cromer High, met with Mona Vale police on Tuesday where she gave information about alleged sexual assaults of pupils by teachers at the school.
She said since coming out publicly about the culture of abuse at Cromer High in the 1980s, former pupils from Beacon Hill High and Forest High had also come forward.
Ms Wheeler claimed at least three dozen former pupils were affected.
She has also set up a private Facebook page, “a safe haven for victims” and a source of support.
This weekend former students who are affected will meet at a secret location on the beaches where they will be given access to counselling.
Ms Wheeler said while she was never abused she was plied with alcohol by teachers on a sports school trip, aged 13. And she said most pupils were aware that there were teachers engaging in sexual activity with students.
“Everybody knew, it was our normal,” Ms Wheeler said. “Pupils were attacked, molested, raped.”
She said she came forward after listening to an investigative podcast by The Australian called The Teacher’s Pet examining the 1982 disappearance of mother Lynette Dawson, who was the wife of Chris Dawson, a sports teacher at the school.
While there is no suggestion that Mr Dawson is involved in any of the matters currently being investigated by police or giving alcohol to Ms Wheeler, the podcast reminded Ms Wheeler of what her school life had been like.
A coronial inquest heard that the former rugby league star turned teacher was having an affair with 16-year-old pupil Joanne Curtis before his wife went missing from their home in Bayview.
He moved Ms Curtis into the family home two days after his wife disappeared and went on to marry and have a child with her. Two coroners have ruled Mrs Dawson was probably murdered, despite the lack of a body.
No one has ever been charged with her death, and Mr Dawson, who now lives in Queensland, denies killing his wife.
Ms Wheeler said some of the victims who had made contact with her were now married but had never told their partners, while others had never been able to build a life for themselves and had been unable to hold down a job.
“We will assist these former students to get them the help they need,” Ms Wheeler said. “We will try to put them back together.”
A spokesman for NSW Police said: “As with any report of sexual violence, police are treating these matters seriously and any report made to detectives will be thoroughly investigated.
“The investigation is in its infancy and in order to protect victims and information they may provide it would be inappropriate to comment further.
“This is a timely reminder to victims — it’s never too late to make a report to police — we will investigate it whether it happened yesterday, last year or 40 years ago.”
Reports can be made at any police station, or information relevant to the investigation can provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Strike Force Southwood detectives will treat all information provided with the strictest of confidence.
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