State care abuse: Indigenous man reveals horror treatment in hostel

A boy who was routinely raped and physically abused at a Thornbury hostel has reached a settlement with the Victorian government.

Quinton suffered post-traumatic stress order and depression as a result of the abuse.

A vulnerable Indigenous boy who was routinely raped, physically abused and bullied in state care has reached a $1.3m settlement with the Victorian government.

Quinton, who did not want to use his last name, was sent to the Bert Williams Hostel in Thornbury as a teenager in the 1980s after he was involved in a minor theft.

He was subject to regular sexual and physical abuse, including being raped by three other residents on his first night.

Quinton was pushed down the stairs and had his head flushed in a toilet containing faeces.

He was also verbally and physically harassed by staff at the hostel, including being grabbed and manhandled.

“For most of my life I kept the truth hidden and wore different ‘masks’ to protect myself and those around me, but really I was struggling with my mental health,” he said.

“As a result of what happened to me, I lost my family values and cultural ties that I will never get back. I never had the traditional initiation and was never classed as a man in my community – this is my greatest shame.”

Quinton suffered post-traumatic stress order and depression as a result of the abuse and took the state government to court alleging they failed in their duty of care to him.

They agreed to pay $1.3m in compensation plus legal costs, believed to be one of the largest settlements for a former state ward.

Quinton said while compensation would not make his trauma disappear, he did feel a sense of justice and recognition of the abuse he suffered, adding he encouraged others to come forward.

“Have a go at finding justice. It’s our time now, we’ve done the hard yards – let the law do the rest. You will be believed,” he said,

Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer Lachlan Macfarlane said Quinton was a vulnerable young teenager who the state failed to look out for.

“Despite many years of shame and anger, Quinton has done his best to help others, including

working as a disability advocate and carer,” he said.

“While compensation cannot take away Quinton’s trauma and suffering, this settlement has given him a strong sense of validation and justice, which will help him move forward.”