NSW crossbenchers back calls by family of Lyn Dawson for inquiry into sex in schools

NSW crossbenchers back calls by Lynette Dawson’s family for an inquiry into the departmental failures that allowed teachers to have sexual relationships with students.

Greg Simms with wife Merilyn. Picture: Britta Campion

NSW crossbenchers have backed calls by the family of slain Northern Beaches mother Lynette ­Dawson for an inquiry into the ­departmental failures that allowed teachers to have sexual relationships with students.

Independent MP for Wakehurst Michael Regan, formerly the mayor of Northern Beaches Council, said he would support an inquiry into sexual abuse in schools and stressed more needed to be done to address the backlog of cases.

“Schools should be a place of learning and safety for young people, so reports of a string of historical sexual abuse cases in schools across the country is incredibly concerning,” he said. “Of course I welcome any inquiry that would shine a light into these dark places, but authorities must also resolve the backlog of outstanding claims from known cases.”

Crossbencher Dr Joe McGirr said he would support an inquiry.

The NSW District Court on Wednesday found former teacher Chris Dawson, who is already serving a 24-year sentence for murdering his wife Lyn, guilty of the unlawful carnal knowledge of his former pupil known only as AB.

Judge Sarah Huggett found Dawson groomed the highly vulnerable 16-year-old when she was a student in his physical education class before later marrying her.

Lyn’s sister-in-law Merilyn Simms said the education department had a lot to answer for as she called for an inquiry into the departmental failures that allowed teacher-student relationships to flourish in the 1970s and 1980s. “There were so many things swept under the carpet in those days, so many cover-ups, it was disgraceful,” she said. “They need to be ­answerable. There has to be an ­inquiry into all of that as well.”

Ms Simms also said police should investigate claims against other teachers on the Northern Beaches after the publication of The Teacher’s Pet podcast.

“These teachers were in a position of trust and they betrayed that trust, not only to these young students, but to their parents, to the school, the community and they need to be exposed,” Ms Simms said as she praised the resolve of AB.

Sexual assault survivor advocate Nina Funnell said she supported an inquiry, but questioned whether the scope should be limited to abuse that took place in the 1970s and 1980s.

“We should question whether it should stop there because the abuse hasn’t,” said Funnell, who is also a journalist. “We know as of now children are still being condition and groomed for sexual abuse in schools and often those victims blame themselves and are subjected to victim blaming and minimising attitudes by their peers and others.”

The Victorian government on Wednesday announced an inquiry into historical child sex abuse at Beaumaris Primary School in the 1960s and 1970s, and ongoing abuse perpetrated by the same employees at other government schools. Premier Daniel Andrews said the government was aware of at least three former staff members who had engaged in predatory behaviour.

The Australian understands at this stage the NSW government has no plans to launch an inquiry into sexual abuse in high schools.