Brighton Grammar School former student launches legal action after alleged historic sex abuse

A former Brighton Grammar student has launched legal action against the school saying he suffered PTSD after he was allegedly singled out by a teacher on a 1980s camp.

Legal action has been launched against Brighton Grammar. Picture: Penny Stephens

A former Brighton Grammar student has launched legal action against the school, alleging he was sexually abused by a teacher while on school camp.

In documents filed to the County Court on Monday, the man alleges he was “singled” out by teacher Bob Barrow while on a school camp in Gippsland in the 1980s.

The man alleges Mr Barrow, who was camp master, complimented him by saying he would be school captain one day before inviting him on private walks.

During one of the walks, the man, who was in Year 7 at the time, alleges the teacher asked him to touch his genitalia over his clothing.

“The Plaintiff was extremely scared and resisted the invitation,” the documents state.

The man claimed Mr Barrow “misused” his position of power to groom him and proposition him for sex acts.

He also alleged other students warned him if Mr Barrow asked “to do anything” he should refuse.

“The Defendant (the school) knew, or ought to have known, that Barrow was a risk to the welfare of children and/or had a propensity to abuse children,” the documents state.

The man alleges the elite all-boys’ school failed to supervise Mr Barrow and to inform students about the need to notify the principal or other authorities in the event of teacher misconduct.

He also alleges the school failed to implement a complaints system meaning students were unable to raise the alarm on abuse.

In suing for damages, the man says he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depressive episodes as a result of the abuse.

“The abuse by Barrow occurred in the course of his employment or other relationship with the school, and as such, the Defendant is vicariously liable for the abuse,” court documents state.

Brighton Grammar declined to comment.

The court action comes after another former student alleged he was the victim of violent corporal punishment at the hands of multiple teachers and the principal in the 1960 and 70s.