Goulburn Valley Grammar School under investigation over alleged cover up of sexual abuse
A prestigious private school in Victoria’s north is under investigation for allegedly covering up sexual abuse in the 1990s.
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A prestigious private school in northern Victoria is under investigation for allegedly covering up historic sexual abuse of a student three decades ago.
Goulburn Valley Grammar School (GVGS) is under investigation for failing to act in response to sexual abuse in the early 1990s.
The investigation, which was launched by the Commission for Children and Young People in the middle of 2023, related to the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by former teacher Rodney Howes.
In a writ filed with the Supreme Court in June 2023, former student Camille Waring alleged former GVGS teacher Howes, a convicted sexual predator, forced her to have sex with several other men across the state, including a former Victoria Police detective senior sergeant, when she was 15 years old.
The abuse spanned her time at the school between 1990 and 1993.
Ms Waring said Howes forced her to sleep with other men between 1991 and 1997, when she turned 21 years old, forcing her to be “pimped out” for seven years.
An army soldier and another teacher also allegedly sexually assaulted Ms Waring when she was underage.
Howes was found not guilty of raping Ms Waring in a criminal case, but was sentenced to six months’ jail in 2000 for sexually abusing another female GVGS student.
Both GVGS and Howes settled out of court with Ms Waring.
A GVGS spokesperson confirmed the investigation but said they could not comment as the matter was being investigated.
“Given this matter is currently being independently investigated the school cannot comment,” the spokesperson said.
“When the investigation has concluded and the findings considered, GVGS will then communicate with relevant parties.”
A spokesman from the Commission for Children and Young People said legislation prevented the Commission from “commenting on whether or not particular matters are before us, or on the outcomes of matters we may be considering”.
Independent investigator Steve Macchi told the Herald Sun he could not comment for confidential reasons.
The Department of Education told the Herald Sun Goulburn Valley Grammar School was an independent school and therefore would not comment.
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