Marian Catholic School, Sir John Fisher’s at centre of historical sexual abuse claims
A Townsville Catholic school is at the centre of claims of historical sexual abuse by a teacher on a student.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More claims of historical sexual abuse have emerged relating to a Townsville Catholic school.
Law firm Maurice Blackburn says it is acting for one victim and that it knows of at least two others.
The firm has published advertisements, including in the Townsville Bulletin, calling for people who know about historical sexual abuse at the school to come forward.
“Did you attend Sir John Fisher’s College or Marian Primary School in Currajong between 1975-1992,” the advertisement says.
“We are investigating allegations of abuse at the schools and need your help. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
Before 1988 the Marian Catholic School was called St John Fisher’s College.
Maurice Blackburn Special Counsel Jed McNamara told the Bulletin he was set to file a civil compensation claim in the Townsville court registry on behalf of one victim of historical sexual abuse and was investigating the circumstances of others.
The claim relates to the alleged sexual abuse of a student by a teacher around 1990. Mr McNamara said the perpetrator was deceased.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which ran between 2013 and 2017, heard evidence from many victims of sexual abuse that occurred within the Catholic Church including at its schools.
According to a report tendered to the Royal Commission, 4445 people approached a relevant Catholic Church authority, including in the Townsville diocese, between 1980 and 2015 alleging incidents of child sexual abuse.
Mr McNamara said the Royal Commission was the stimulus that led to the removal of limitation periods, permitting victims to bring a legal claim for historical sexual abuse despite the fact the abuse occurred many decades earlier.
In certain circumstances, such as when a perpetrator had died without the claim of abuse having been put to them, a defendant such as the Church could ask the court to permanently stay the legal proceeding on the basis the defendant had been denied the opportunity of fully investigating what the victim said.
Mr McNamara said evidence of other victims of sexual abuse within the same institution — the parish or school — and involving the same perpetrator could be used to overcome the permanent stay argument.
It was for this reason that Maurice Blackburn was calling for people to come forward with any information, he said.
Mr McNamara said there may well be other victims.
In a statement Executive Director of Townsville Catholic Education Jacqui Francis said: “Townsville Catholic Education are aware of historical allegations of sexual abuse at the schools referenced in (Friday’s) advertisement.
“We take the safety of our students, past and present, very seriously and notify Queensland Police Services on all student protection matters, including allegations of historical sexual abuse.
“Townsville Catholic Education fully cooperates providing information to authorities or victims who request historical records subject to the Privacy Act.”
Originally published as Marian Catholic School, Sir John Fisher’s at centre of historical sexual abuse claims
Optometrist warns light-eyed locals to protect their eyes
As Townsville’s UV index remains high, eye health experts are urging locals to step up their sun protection routine, with new research revealing that many Aussies are not wearing sunglasses.
Man serving life sentence returns to court
A Townsville man who went from having no criminal history to behind bars for life recently has returned to court for separate offences. See why.