By Pat Nolan
The Courier
July 28, 2011
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/victim-to-sue-brother-best/2241566.aspx
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| Brother Robert Best |
VICTIMS of sexual abuse at the hands of Robert Charles Best during his time in Ballarat will sue the disgraced Christian brother after he is sentenced next month.
The victims also plan to separately sue the Christian Brothers and are also considering whether to file a case against the state government if it is deemed to have been some way responsible for their mistreatment.
Barrister for the 11 men who were abused by Best as young boys, Dr Vivian Waller, said although she was not sure exactly how many of the 11 attended St Alipius, there was "definitely at least one".
Dr Waller is representing a further 14 men who are filing law suits for the sexual abuse they suffered at orphanages in Melbourne and Geelong.
"There is no doubt these men suffered as boys," she said.
"No amount of money will ever give back a stolen childhood but it can assist them in getting on with life in some way. They might have missed out on vital education, training or employment as a result of their abuse and this can help rectify that in some way."
Dr Waller said it was still to be assessed whether a law suit would be filed against the state government, but she said that it did have the overriding power on education and orphanages in the state.
She said although there were 11 people from St Alipius Christian Brothers School and two other schools in Geelong and Melbourne who were filing law suits, she was certain there would still be others that had not come forward.
"A lot of people haven't even told their families and their loved ones so it would be extremely difficult to come forward," she said.
"But we can help and I encourage them to get in touch with either the police or myself."
Best was found guilty of one count of buggery, 24 counts of unlawful and indecent assault of boys aged under 16, and two counts of aggravated indecent assault.
He will be sentenced on August 8.
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