Historic sex crime detectives investigate St Patrick's College claims

By Marissa Calligeros And Rania Spooner
Age
February 18, 2015

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/historic-sex-crime-detectives-investigate-st-patricks-college-claims-20150218-13hvo6.html

Police are investigating a number of former staff at St Patrick's College in Sale who are accused of sexually abusing young boys four decades ago. 

Detectives from the child exploitation Sano Taskforce will head to the town of Sale in Victoria's south-east this week to investigate allegations that boarders at the Catholic school were sexually abused.

Investigators received a number of complaints about a year ago from former students who attended the school during the 1970s and 1980s.

The male students were aged between 11 and 15 years old at the time of the incidents.

Sano Taskforce Detective Inspector Stephen Dennis would not confirm how many suspects were at the centre of the investigation, but said the alleged offenders had worked at a number of schools.

"There are certainly offenders who have worked at various places, at various schools in the area, and that's something we're keen to press forward," Inspector Dennis said.

"Our investigations are ongoing and we're looking at a range of options and possibilities."

Inspector Dennis would not confirm in what capacity the suspects had worked at the school or whether they were members of the clergy.

He urged any victims or anyone with information to speak to police.

"St Patrick's College was operating as a boys-only boarding school when the incidents occurred so there may be people outside of Sale that may be affected," he said.

"While we have had complaints at this time, we suspect there may be other victims out there who have not come forward.

"Any case involving sexual abuse of a young child is horrifc, that's why we're very keen to investigate any complaints. It doesn't matter when they occurred, where they occurred, how they occurred.

"It's never too late for people to come forward with these allegations."

St Patrick's principal Christopher Randell said the school was first made aware of the allegations on Wednesday morning and would cooperate fully with any police investigation.

"It's always very disturbing to hear of allegations of this nature," he said.

Mr Randell said the school was not aware of the specific allegations and therefore could not confirm if any of the the suspects were still working at the school, or connected to the school community.

"We do know these are historic cases," he said.

The boarding school, which was run by the Marist Brothers, closed in 1977.

The college became a co-eductional school in 1993 with the amalgamation of St Patrick's College and the nearby Our Lady of Sion College.

Detectives would like to speak to any victims or witnesses who have information relating to sexual abuse at St Patrick's College at any time, but particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Sano Taskforce toll free line on 1800 110 007.  Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.