Former St Kevin’s College student sues school over historic sexual abuse

A Christian brother preyed on a young boy and subjected him to “brutal and horrific sexual abuse” in a case that has sparked calls for more witnesses to come forward.

Lawyers are calling for students who were taught by Brother Welsh in the 1960s or 1970s to come forward. Picture: AAP

A former St Kevin’s College student who suffered “life-changing” sexual abuse as a ten-year-old in the 1970s is suing the Christian Brothers.

The man, who is now nearly 60, was raped multiple times in 1976, when he was in year five.

In a writ filed in the Supreme Court, he claims his teacher, Brother Welsh, ordered him to “stay behind after end-of-day prayers as he had been misbehaving in class”.

The former student suffered ‘life-changing’ sexual abuse. Picture: AAP

After being scolded for his actions, he was then struck ten times on each leg with a ruler, then he was allegedly anally penetrated by Brother Welsh.

He was allegedly raped by him on at least six more occasions in the cloak room or senior school building after being strapped.

The man, who wishes to stay anonymous, said his school days “were the worst time of my life and it tainted the rest of my life”.

Following the abuse, his grades started to decline and he left school in year ten and is currently working as a machine operator.

The man said his school days were the worst time of his life. Picture: AAP

He attempted suicide when he was 12, and believes that without the abuse, he would have had a more stable and financially rewarding career.

“I want to do what I can to stand up as some of them can’t do it and others are no longer here as they have taken their own lives,” the victim survivor said.

His lawyer, Madeline Macriyiannis from Arnold Thomas & Becker said “our client suffered brutal and horrific sexual abuse during his primary school years. He was let down by the school who we allege failed to provide a safe place for its students.”

“We also allege the school would have been aware of earlier incidents of sexual abuse but that nothing was done to protect students,” she said.

The lawyers are calling for other witnesses who were taught by Brother Welsh in the 1960s or 1970s to come forward, including former St Kevin’s students from that period.

They are also calling for students who attended the school in the mid 1990s for another claim against a rowing coach.

A statement from the Christian Brothers Oceania Province said: “The allegations made in these proceedings are against a deceased Brother who has no other complaints known to the Christian Brothers of any impropriety of any type, including in the manner alleged.

It comes as one in ten schools in Victoria are now involved in historic child abuse claims.