Dozens come forward over historic abuse allegations at Tasmanian schools

Dozens of Tasmanians have come forward to talk about allegations of abuse in schools as a high-profile law firm probes a number of educational institutions across the state. INVESTIGATION >>

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DOZENS of Tasmanians have come forward to talk about allegations of abuse in the state’s government schools, as a high-profile law firm probes a number of educational institutions.

Maurice Blackburn has placed advertisements in Tasmanian newspapers — including the Mercury — calling out for attendees of a number of the state’s schools in certain years.

It comes as a Commission of Inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse in government institutions continues to take submissions.

Last month, Maurice Blackburn requested to hear from those who attended Kingston High School between 1980 and 2005, as it investigated allegations of abuse at the school.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

On Friday, the firm publicised a similar call-out for those who went to Claremont High School during the same time period.

“We are calling for anyone who attended in that period who either experienced or witnessed abuse or questionable behaviour from teachers,” Maurice Blackburn lawyer Zoe Papageorgiou said.

Ms Papageorgiou said the firm’s inquiries involved “a handful” of teachers.

“The nature of this sort of work is you pull one thread and many more come undone,’’ she said.

“It’s been a tremendous response. We’ve had such a great response from the community from people just wanting to help ... to talking of their experiences.

“It all helps to put the pieces of the puzzle together and to form timelines.”

Kingston High School.

Ms Papageorgiou said as many as 10 schools were being looked into by the firm and she expected evidence gathered would feed into the upcoming Commission of Inquiry.

“When we do get call-ins, evidence starts to fall into place and that evidence would need to be ventilated at the [inquiry],’’ she said.

“We could be called to give evidence and we would also want to pose suggestions of viable civil claims that may come out of the call-ins as well.”

The Commission of Inquiry, Tasmania’s equivalent of a Royal Commission, was called by Premier Peter Gutwein in November last year.

It is expected to hold public hearings later this year and report back to the government by no later than August 2022.

The state government has reported that 18 Tasmanian State Service employees have been stood down since October last year amid allegations of child sexual abuse.

Twelve were located in Tasmania’s north and six in the south, with 12 allegations historical and six contemporary.

Two of the employees have since returned to work.

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