The former schoolgirl with whom convicted wife killer Chris Dawson had an unlawful sexual relationship is suing the state of NSW for damages, claiming it failed to protect her from being groomed and sexually abused by the Cromer High School teacher.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is suing the Department of Education for negligence, claiming it breached its duty of care to her by giving Dawson “unfettered access” to her, failing to investigate him, and allowing him to remain a teacher at the school “notwithstanding the common knowledge that he was sexually abusing a pupil”.
Chris Dawson, right, pictured last year outside the NSW Supreme Court.Credit: Nick Moir
The department, through its staff, knew or ought to have known about the “ongoing inappropriate and sexually abusive relationship” between her and Dawson, she alleges, and Dawson accompanied her to school events including the formal, where she sat at the staff table.
She also alleges the principal at the time dismissed concerns raised by two other students about her eating lunch in Dawson’s locked office by telling them “to stop being ‘silly girls’” .
The woman is seeking damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages, and alleges in court documents that Dawson made her “carry out sexually perverted activities, including requiring her to have sexual intercourse with his brother” Paul.
The woman alleges that Dawson, then a physical education teacher, deliberately altered arrangements so that she would be in his class in year 11 in 1980 and sexually abused her for the first time later that year.
She alleges that after her graduation she was “made to dress in her school uniform for the sexual gratification and enjoyment of Dawson” and “made to engage in sexual activity with both Dawson and his brother, Paul Dawson, at the same time”.
She was also “encouraged to have sexual intercourse with Paul Dawson whilst Dawson watched in a clandestine manner”, court documents say.
In a defence filed in court, the state of NSW denies it is liable for “intentional conduct constituting sexual abuse and/or predatory behaviour”. It argues that if damages are awarded, the sum should be reduced because the woman failed “to end the relationship with Dawson” and failed to report it at the time to the school, her parents or police.
Chris Dawson left, and brother Paul in 1970.Credit: Craig Golding/Fairfax Media
The state of NSW has also filed a cross-claim against Dawson and is seeking either a complete indemnity or contribution to any damages award, and damages for breach of his employment contract.
The case is next listed for a directions hearing before Justice Peter Garling on February 23.
NSW District Court Judge Sarah Huggett found Dawson guilty in June of one count of carnal knowledge of the student, aged 16, who was his pupil at the northern beaches high school. He will be sentenced on Friday.
Last year, Dawson was jailed for 24 years with a non-parole period of 18 years for the 1982 murder of his wife, Lynette. NSW Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison found Dawson killed his wife to pursue an unfettered relationship with the teen.
The civil case was filed in 2020, before Dawson was criminally convicted.
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