Ex-St Paul’s Technical College student says Christian Brothers ignoring sexual abuse claims

An ex-Ballarat schoolboy who alleges he was sexually abused by two Christian Brothers says the congregation has applied to halt legal proceedings over a civil claim and act like “they don’t care”.

A former Ballarat schoolboy says the Christian Brothers have refused to discuss a civil claim he brought against the congregation over alleged child sexual abuse.

A former Ballarat schoolboy says the Christian Brothers have refused to discuss a civil claim he brought against the congregation over alleged historic child sexual abuse.

Former St Paul’s Technical College student John, not his real name, launched legal action against the Christian Brothers alleging he was sexually abused by Brothers Frederick Archer and Charles North when he was in years seven and eight in the 1950s.

John said he felt ignored after the Christian Brothers, who ran the college, refused to come to the table to mediate the claim and applied for a permanent stay to halt legal proceedings.

“I see it as them taking control and being intimidating. It feels like they are ignoring and not listening to me all over again – they don’t care,” he said.

John said the Christian Brothers had attempted to delay proceedings which amplified his trauma.
“I want it to be over with and finished so I can move on and they can stop bringing it all back to me,” he said.

“I can’t respect the Christian Brothers and I am not a church-goer anymore.”

In a statement of claim filed to the Supreme Court, John alleges the Christian Brothers were negligent by failing to implement a complaints’ system and were aware of widespread sexual abuse at its institutions from as early as 1930.

He also claims the church enforced a policy that if an offender denied allegations of sexual abuse when asked, it was presumed they were telling the truth.

Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Angela Di Carluccio, who is representing John, said the Christian Brothers were using permanent stay applications to prevent survivors from getting justice.

“John has had to live with the trauma as a result of this abuse for decades,” she said.

“It has impacted his sense of self, his career and his perception of authority figures. He deserves to be able to hold the Church accountable for what happened to him, and move forward with his life.”

She added she was concerned others had also suffered abuse at the hands of Brother Archer and Brother North and encouraged them to come forward.

The Christian Brothers Oceania Province said: “This matter is the subject of civil litigation and is before the Courts for determination. Out of respect for the independence of that judicial process, the Christian Brothers are unable to comment publicly”.