St Clare’s Primary School in Officer accused for mishandling alleged sexual assault of 10-year-old student

St Clare’s Primary School in Melbourne’s southeast has been accused for failing in its duty of care after a 10-year-old boy was injured after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a classmate while making a Mother’s Day card.

St Clare's Primary School is under fire over allegations of a student sexual assault. Picture: Supplied

A mother has accused a Catholic school in Melbourne’s southeast of failing in its duty to provide a safe learning environment for her son, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by another student earlier this month.

The 10-year-old boy’s mum said St Clare’s Primary School in Officer neglected to properly inform authorities about the incident which she said has left her son “traumatised” and unable to return to school.

The student was on the classroom floor drawing a Mother’s Day card when another peer came up from behind and allegedly sexually assaulted him with an object on May 6.

The young victim reported the incident to his teacher, who then called his mum to inform her of what had occurred.

The student was on the floor drawing in a Mother’s Day card when he was allegedly sexually assaulted. Picture: Supplied

Upon learning of the incident, the mum attended the school to organise a meeting with the principal.

“When I walked into the office I asked the receptionist I wanted to see the principal, but she advised she was in a meeting,” the mum told the Herald Sun.

“I told her I was happy to wait, but it was only until I told her my son had been sexually assaulted that the vice-principal came and spoke with me.”

After being told all information would be passed onto the principal, the mum took her son to receive medical treatment before making a report to Victoria Police.

“I was advised (the police) couldn’t do anything because of the perpetrator’s age and the school needed to do mandatory reporting under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 as a sexual assault had occurred on school grounds,” the mum said.

The case was later referred to Dandenong’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation team.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed police were notified of an incident at the primary school on May 6, the same day the mum made the report.

“Detectives reviewed the report and have determined no criminal offence has occurred,” she said.

“Officers have engaged with staff from the school and parents of those involved to offer support services where appropriate.”

The spokeswoman did not confirm whether Victoria Police received a second report about the incident from the school.

The boy has not returned to school since the incident. Picture: iStock

Two weeks’ on, the mum said her son remained at home as he was “absolutely petrified to go to school to face the perpetrator” and that she was yet to see a safety plan to aid his return.

“To the best of my knowledge, the child has not faced any consequences or has been suspended,” she said.

“My son is now suffering from mental, emotional and psychological trauma from this incident.

“I believe the school has failed to keep my son safe. School is supposed to be the second safest place for a child outside their home.”

Victorian schools are expected to follow the Four Critical Actions if teaching staff witness, receive a disclosure or form a suspicion a student is a victim of a student sexual offence.

Under the four critical actions, schools are expected to “respond to the emergency, report to authorities, contact parents or carers and provide ongoing support,” according to the state government’s website.

Schools also have a legal obligation to make a mandatory report if they suspect a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or sexual abuse.

“There are rules and regulations in place, so the school should set a better example by following those rules and regulations,” the mum said.

The Herald Sun approached St Clare’s Primary School and the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited to respond to allegations it had failed to report the incident.

Both declined to comment.

Originally published as St Clare’s Primary School in Officer accused for mishandling alleged sexual assault of 10-year-old student