Institutional Child Sex Abuse Claims

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The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is currently hearing evidence regarding allegations of child sex abuse in Australian institutions such as churches, schools, homes and sporting organisations, by persons such as priests, rabbis, teachers, childcare workers, swimming instructors. In many of the cases, a lack of direct and serious enough action was taken. Complaints were simply ignored by these organisations, brushed aside, or action was taken far too late.

Compensation Lawyers

It is important that victims of paedophiles are aware of their legal rights. There are compensation options available to child sex abuse victims, even in circumstances where the abuse took place decades ago. Our compensation solicitors specialise in handling child sex abuse claims that have occurred in institutions. If you would like information on how we can assist you, contact our service for free and confidential legal advice. Call our helpline or complete the online contact form on this page.

Child Sex Abuse Cases

The Royal Commission holds formal public hearings to hear evidence about child sexual abuse within institutions, with focus on how institutions have responded to allegations and proven instances of child sexual abuse.

The following stories of alleged institutional child abuse and convictions of paedophiles have been heard by the Commission:

1. Steve Larkins of Scouts Australia NSW and former CEO of the Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Service, indecently assaulted scouts in the 1990’s. He has since been convicted and is serving jail time.
2. Jonathan Lord was a casual child care assistant with YMCA NSW, 2009-2011. By 2013 he was convicted of 13 offences involving 12 children. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 6 years.
3. Allegations of child sex abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home run by the Anglican Church. Reverend Kitchingman, was convicted in 2002 of 5 counts of indecent assault of a male at the Home in 1975.
4. Allegations of sexual abuse in Catholic organisations, examples:
   • Father Brown in the Lismore Diocese between 1978 and 1982.
   • Father Aidan Duggan, Christ the King Catholic Church at Bass Hill, between 1974 and 1979.
   • 44 child sexual assault offences were committed by Gerard Vincent Byrnes while he was a teacher at a Catholic Primary School in Toowoomba.
   • Sexual abuse of children with intellectual disabilities occurred at St Ann’s Special School, Marion by Brian Perkins.
5. Child sex abuse in homes run by the Salvation Army in:
1. Gill Memorial Home, Goulburn, NSW.
2. Bexley Boys’ Home, Bexley, NSW.
3. Riverview Training Farm (also known as Endeavour Training Farm), Riverview, QLD.
4. Alkira Salvation Army Home for Boys, Indooroopilly, QLD.
6. Child sex abuse in institutions run by the government:
1. Women who were sexually abused as children, between 1950-1974, while committed in:

   • The Parramatta Girls’ Training School in Sydney; and
   • The Institution for Girls in Hay, NSW.

7. Men abused in Christian Brothers organisations:
1. In Western Australia: Castledare Junior Orphanage, St Vincent’s Orphanage Clontarf, St Mary’s Agricultural School Tardun and Bindoon Farm School.
8. Children abused in schools run by the Marist Brothers, examples:
1. Allegations of child sexual abuse regarding Brother John Chute (aka Brother Kostka) and former Brother Gregory Sutton.
9. Child sex abuse claims in sporting organisations:
1. Swimming Australia Ltd.