Ex-students come forward with claims of abuse at Mentone Grammar

Two former Mentone Grammar School students allege they were groped under the guise of a medical inspection at a camp when they were teens.

Two former Mentone Grammar School students have come forward alleging historic sexual abuse. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Two former Mentone Grammar School students have come forward alleging historic sexual abuse at a cadet camp when they were teenagers.

David Sheppard, a retired police officer, and Alan Whitcher, a paramedic educator, both 59, say they were “traumatised” and “humiliated” by the abuse at Mentone Grammar Army Cadet Unit.

They say they were forced to stand naked and assaulted as they took part in a “short arm inspection” at the annual camp in Puckapunyal from 1977 to 1979.

A Supreme Court writ lodged on behalf of Mr Sheppard by Shine Lawyers alleges students were told to line up in a ­remote part of the camp wearing only boots and large military coats to take part in the inspection.

The students, including Mr Sheppard, who was 14 in 1977, were then allegedly directed to remove their coats and stand naked while cadet staff ­inspected them one by one.

The writ alleges the students’ genitalia were fondled under the pretext of undertaking medical inspections to check for signs of sexually transmitted diseases and other issues.

During inspections at the camp in 1977, 1978 and 1979, Mr Sheppard told the Herald Sun he was approached by cadet staff and sexually assaulted.

“We didn’t have a choice and we were forced to stand there and comply,” he said.

Alan Whitcher and David Sheppard have launched action against Mentone Grammar. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“We just stood there in shock and fear.”

Mr Sheppard, who is seeking an apology and damages, said he also saw other students being sexually assaulted.

“It was abhorrent, we couldn’t question what happened and we were told to never discuss the abuse with anyone,” he said.

Mr Whitcher, who attended the camp as a 15-year-old in 1977, has also alleged he was abused and is expected to lodge a similar legal claim.

“Students were intimidated, frightened, scared and forced to expose themselves during a line-up, some groped and fondled on a ruse that this was somehow a legitimate medical inspection,” he said.

“This was the lie we were told to justify the act.

“We had no voice at the time to challenge what was happening – we were all terrified.

“After attending the camp, I was traumatised. I was fearful of being abused again.

“I was desperate to do anything to get out of the camp and feigned an injury.

“I had a plaster cast put on my arm by David’s sister, who was a nurse, so I wouldn’t have to attend any future camps.” Mr Sheppard also alleged he was physically abused by teachers on school grounds.

“The teachers also used ­intimidation, threats and scare tactics to engender compliance,” he said.

“I was regularly called up to the headmaster’s office and called a failure and a disgrace to my family and to the good name of the school. About every five to six weeks I was ­assaulted by way of being ‘pulled by the ear’, ‘dragged by the hair’ and pushed over by the assistant headmaster.”

The men said the abuse had taken a “huge toll”, leaving them with ­ongoing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

The two men are seeking compensation for years of alleged abuse when they were students from 1977 to 1981.

Mr Sheppard said the abuse had affected his relationships and trust for others, but he joined the police force to help other victims of crime.

“All my life I would grimace when someone touched me. I would feel anxious and stressed,” he said.

“My experience has also ­affected my confidence in life and I believe has held me back in my career as a member of Victoria Police. I had a rewarding and fulfilling career but have carried the experiences throughout my life and I am now seeking justice for what happened.”

Mr Whitcher said: “They (teachers) grossly failed in their duty of care to protect students from this abuse by their inaction, compliance and silence. To this day, they are held in high regard by the school, their participation ­unchallenged and hidden.

“We are looking for justice and acknowledgment for what happened to us and other former students.”