Former Scotch College student suing school after allegedly being abused by multiple teachers

A former Scotch College student who allegedly suffered “irreversible and irreparable” abuse at the hands of multiple teachers in the 1980s is suing the elite school and urging other alleged victims to come forward.

A former Scotch College student has lifted the lid on the alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of several teachers in the 1980s. Picture: Tony Gough

A former Scotch College student who allegedly suffered “irreparable” abuse at the hands of multiple teachers in the ‘80s is urging his peers to break their silence on similar incidents.

Craig Marriott, who was enrolled at the prestigious all-boys schools between 1982 and 1986, is seeking compensation after years of alleged abuse – perpetrated by staff and his late adoptive father – contributed to psychiatric injuries and “irreversible” trauma.

In a writ filed to the Supreme Court, it’s alleged Mr Marriott was hit on the head, struck on the face, had his hair pulled, and was pushed to the ground in incidents perpetrated by at least six Scotch College teachers.

Mr Marriott also observed the same staff plus three more physically abuse other students – and recounted some of those incidents.

“(There’d be) a student with his top button undone and his tie not done all the way up (and the teacher would) walk up to him and grab the tie and do it up so tight they’re restricting this student’s ability to breathe. That’s not discipline,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Walking up to a student that’s got the shirt tail hanging out and dragging him backwards by the shirt tail until he falls over onto his back. That’s not discipline.”

Craig Marriott is seeking compensation after years of alleged abuse at Scotch College. Picture: Tony Gough

It’s also alleged cleaners, known by the nicknames “Cecil” and “Johnny the Wog”, watched Mr Marriott and other students shower or get changed.

“If you didn’t fit in and you weren’t a high achiever in that school, you were just mud and they didn’t care about you,” Mr Marriott said.

“The damage that’s been done is irreversible and irreparable.”

At the same time, Mr Marriott endured abuse at the hands of his late adoptive father, with incidents of physical, sexual and emotional trauma dating back to the 1970s.

“I very quickly became completely immersed in abuse both at home and at school,” Mr Marriott said.

“Prior to Scotch, I was in the state school system and school had been a haven for me, but once I got to Scotch College, it very quickly became clear that I was no longer safe.”

Mr Marriott told four teachers about his father’s abuse – including the school counsellor – and wrote an English essay about it, but the school failed to report it to authorities.

In one instance, it’s alleged a teacher told Mr Marriott the school would not likely take steps to intervene because it would be like “shooting the goose that was laying their golden eggs”.

“Those people actively chose to not do their jobs,” Mr Marriott said.

Mr Marriott also alleges the school failed to report his abusive late adoptive father to authorities. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Marriott’s school records from 1986 also referenced the impact of his home life on his schooling, but this didn’t protect him from the continued abuse he was forced to endure until he left home at 16.

Almost four decades on, Mr Marriott – who is being represented by Arnold Thomas & Becker – is appealing for witnesses to assist him with his case against Scotch College as well as the successor to the Methodist Babies Home which organised his adoption and his deceased father’s estate.

“I don’t know how many other stories are similar but if you throw a pebble in a pond you get ripples. If you drop a boulder in a pond, everyone gets wet and that’s what that school did,” he said.

“I want the full truth of what was going on at that school.

“The school is still writing obituaries for serial abusers. I’ve read them. I’ve seen them in their old college magazine. They’re just in complete denial.”

Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Aleksandar Dukovski said Mr Marriott was let down by systems and structures that weren’t either put in place or ignored.

“The abuse Craig suffered while in the care of Scotch College, combined with the school’s failure to act on repeated signs that he was in distress due to abuse at home, has had a profound impact on his life,” he said.

Mr Dukovski said the firm was seeking assistance from anyone who knew Mr Marriott between 1982 and 1986 or could identify the two cleaning staff.

“During the Royal Commission, reports were made alleging that at least 70 complaints from students related to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse suffered while under the care of Scotch College,” he said.

“We are seeking anyone who may have known Craig between 1982 and 1986, or who may have had similar experiences, to contact Arnold Thomas & Becker’s Melbourne office.”

Scotch College was unable to comment on the matter as the case is before the courts.

Originally published as Former Scotch College student suing school after allegedly being abused by multiple teachers