Top Hobart school admits to 1960s sex abuse cases

The Australian
November 20, 2014

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/top-hobart-school-admits-to-1960s-sex-abuse-cases/story-fngburq5-1227128839986

Matthew Denholm Tasmania Correspondent Hobart

AN elite Hobart boys’ school has apologised to victims of sexual abuse by four teachers in the 1960s, but is accused of “covering up” and “whitewashing” the crimes for decades.

The Hutchins Anglican School yesterday admitted to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that four former students who gave evidence “were sexually abused by members of staff in the 1960s”.

However, evidence yesterday suggested many more boys may have been abused, with one witness referring to concerns a “pedophile ring” had operated.

The commission heard detailed allegations of sexual abuse by four former teachers, including ex-headmaster David Lawrence, and claims of inappropriate conduct by two others.