Wybra Hall child sexual abuse and torture survivor awarded history-making $1.2 million

A sexual abuse survivor, brutally raped and tortured at the notorious Wybra Hall, has been awarded what is believed to be the state’s biggest child abuse payout. HIS STORY >>

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THE year was 1971, and Simon* was locked in the “dungeon” at the now infamous boys’ reformatory, Wybra Hall.

Confined in isolation at the Mangalore institution, Simon was forced to live on bread, milk and water for days at a time, and ordered to perform arduous work, cleaning floors with a toothbrush.

On his days outside the dungeon, the 13-year-old was forced into boxing matches with bigger boys, who were encouraged to beat him black and blue.

But the worst came when the violent sexual abuse started, leading to a lifelong trauma that has destroyed every one of his hopes and dreams.

Simon was repeatedly, violently and degradingly raped by a Wybra supervisor who would hold his head under a vegetable guillotine, threatening to cut his head off while abusing him.

While that man is now dead and never faced criminal charges, Simon’s life was irrevocably scarred.

It’s a trauma that can never be fully healed. But it has now at least been acknowledged, with the state government agreeing to pay Simon what is believed to be the biggest sexual abuse compensation payout in Tasmanian history – $1.2 million.

The out-of-court settlement was finalised just weeks ago, with Simon – who kept the truth hidden to himself for 40 years – expected to receive the money soon.

I could block myself off from memories and that, but the dreams you couldn’t block off, they’d just come

But the quietly spoken Devonport resident, who hasn’t been able to work since 1994 and now lives an almost hermit-like existence, is not sure the money will change much at all.

The talented football player wasn’t able to pursue his goal of playing VFL, hasn’t been able to hold down relationships, moved in and out of homeless men’s hostels and battled with “the grog” for years while working as a wharfie across Australia.

A 1970 photo of Wybra Hall at Mangalore.

“[The payout] means I’ve got money but it doesn’t mean a lot. I can make my house a bit more comfortable. It doesn’t mean a lot but it’s nice to know you’ve got it,” he told the Mercury,

“I just couldn’t be around people, I still sort of can’t be around people much. When I was young I’d be out first light and then home for tea when it was dark. I sort of never went out in my teens (after the abuse), I just kept to myself.”

Simon said he had been plagued by nightmares for years.

“I could block myself off from memories and that, but the dreams you couldn’t block off, they’d just come,” he said.

Simon first reached out about some of the aspects of abuse he suffered in 2003.

But it wasn’t until his mother passed away that the 64-year-old fully revealed the extent of the horrific sexual abuse.

“After she passed I let a little more out. I didn’t want to hurt her,” Simon said.

Maurice Blackburn lawyer Lucille Nel said Simon had grown up in a good home, but had been incarcerated at Wybra after getting in trouble with some older boys.

She said the difference between his and his siblings’ lives was stark, noting the “catastrophic” effect on every aspect of Simon’s life.

While Ms Nel could not disclose how the settlement was reached – it was negotiated during confidential mediation hearings – she said dealing with the Tasmanian government before proceedings began had been difficult and drawn out.

However, she said within eight months, the dollar amount had been settled.

“The amount did not surprise me, I think it’s entirely appropriate when you consider the very serious effects on Simon’s life,” she said.

She described Simon as a “lovely man” and praised his efforts to “kick the grog” completely in 2000 so he could raise his daughter as a single parent.

“Simon is an inspiration to me. He really is a survivor. It’s amazing that he’s still with us,” she said.

“He has raised his daughter on his own. He managed to kick the grog – they’re his words – when he realised there were no other options for her and he needed to parent her and care for her.”

Wybra Hall was a government-run reformatory that was closed down in 1985. It is now owned by private owners who had nothing to do with the building’s past.

The institution later became notorious as the site of some of the horrific cases of child abuse and torture in Tasmanian history.

* name changed to protect identity

IF YOU NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY PLEASE CALL:

• National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
• 24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
• Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
• Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
• Bravehearts – Sexual Assault Support for Children on 1800 BRAVE 1
• Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Don’t Become That Man on 1300 243 413
• Lifeline on 13 11 14

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