Former Ashley detainee sues Tasmanian government in landmark abuse case

“My whole life has been a shambles. I can’t hold a job down. It’s just ruined my life and it’s going to continue ruining other people’s lives if we don’t stop it.”

• Wybra Hall child sexual abuse and torture survivor awarded history-making $1.2 million
• Ashley Youth Detention Centre abuse alleged over decades

A FORMER Ashley Youth Detention Centre detainee, who says he was forced to perform sex acts upon prison wardens and older boys during the 1980s and 90s, is suing the Tasmanian state government in what is being described as a landmark case.

The civil claim, which was lodged in the Supreme Court of Tasmania last month, is believed to be the first case against Ashley to reach this stage of proceedings.

The man, now 45, told the Mercury he was sent to Ashley as a 12-year-old boy, but came out as an angry and traumatised 18-year-old.

He said he was severely beaten when he tried to speak up to Ashley management, who didn’t believe him, then left in an isolation room – known as “room 11” – for days without food.

“One of the blokes (a prison guard) … he bashed the crap out of me,” he said.

“He put me into room 11, there’s nothing in there, no blankets or anything. I was left in there battered and bruised, no medical attention or anything.”

Ashley Youth Detention Centre near Deloraine.

The man alleges he was also repeatedly punched in the face if he did not follow instructions, regularly struck with heavy sets of prison keys, and repeatedly forced to perform oral sex on staff and older detainees.

He also said he was left in a secure unit with a “monster” who sexually abused him.

The man’s lawyer, Arnold Thomas & Becker senior associate Joseph Ridley, said the man was an Ashley resident several times between 1988 and 1993, suffering “extensive and horrific” abuse.

Arnold Thomas & Becker senior associate Joseph Ridley. Picture: Supplied

Mr Ridley said as a ward of the state and Ashley detainee, the Tasmanian government was responsible for the man’s welfare – and that its failure to monitor what was happening behind closed doors constituted gross negligence.

The man is suing for damages, claiming that since his time at Ashley, he has suffered injuries in the form of depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, anger management issues, conduct disorder, cognitive impairment and antisocial personality disorder.

“I don’t want anyone’s pity,” the man said.

“This still happens to this day and it’s not right.

“My whole life has been a shambles. I can’t hold a job down. It’s just ruined my life and it’s going to continue ruining other people’s lives if we don’t stop it.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne-based lawyer Angela Sdrinis is continuing to prepare a class action for about 100 former Ashley detainees who allege an array of abuse including extended periods of solitary confinement, inappropriate strip searching, sexual assault, and burning cream applied to their genitals.

“New clients keep coming forward and we are also monitoring the Commission of Inquiry,” Ms Sdrinis said.

Public hearings for the Tasmanian government’s Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse, which was announced last November, are expected to begin in October.

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