Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview Sends Letter to Parents Informing Them of Child Sex Abuse Claims

Daily Telegraph
March 23, 2015

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/saint-ignatius-college-riverview-sends-letter-to-parents-informing-them-of-child-sex-abuse-claims/story-fni0cx12-1227275176201

Saint Ignatius’ College in Riverview. Picture: Google

ONE of Sydney’s most illustrious private schools has been forced to send a letter to parents informing them a child sex abuse allegation has been made by a former student.

Paul Hine, principal of Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview delivered the letter to students yesterday, stating he had been made aware of the allegation from 30 years ago by the Professional Standards of the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus. He said the allegation had been reported to the police and the school was assisting with the investigation.

“A former student of Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview has made allegations concerning child sexual abuse over 30 years ago,” the letter from Mr Hine said. “There are clear limits on what I am able to reveal about the allegations.

“Despite this, I believe it is important to inform you about the situation as I understand it and to offer reassurance that such matters are the object of direct and sustained vigilance at the school.”

He said students had been informed of the allegation “in an age appropriate manner”.

Mr Hine provided his mobile phone number in the letter if parents or community members wanted to phone him directly.

Riverview has a long list of well-known alumni who have gone on to carve out distinguished careers in politics, law and professional sport.

Former students include Prime Minister Tony Abbott, federal minister for agriculture Barnaby Joyce and former NSW Premier Nick Greiner.

Others include the present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW Tom Bathurst and Australian Test fast bowler Jackson Bird.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse said the commission was “unable to confirm the details of any reports it ­receives”.

Mr Hine finished the letter by highlighting his distress about being informed of the case.

“The college and the Jesuits wish to express, in the strongest possible terms, their abhorrence of sexual misconduct or any form of abuse involving children,” he said.

“We wish to respond to past abuse and suffering with a commitment to healing, openness and accountability.

“Finally, I would reiterate the sadness and profound regret with which I convey this matter to you.”

Meanwhile, a Catholic brother, now aged 52, was yesterday charged by Tweed Heads police over the alleged sexual abuse of two 12-year-old boys at two Sydney schools in the late 1980s.

In a statement, Jesuits Provincial Father Brian McCoy said:

“The letter from Dr Hine has my full support.

“The matter to which he refers is one dealt with over ten years ago in NSW — when a courageous former student brought a complaint to the Jesuits alleging sexual abuse at Riverview in the 1980s.

“When the complaint came up in Sydney, we — my predecessors — referred the complainant to Towards Healing, which the Jesuits joined about the same time.

“We encouraged him to go to the Police but the complainant, as I understand it, chose to not press charges.

“He valiantly wanted the situation known to ensure it never happened to anyone else.

“He sought then and we respect his request for privacy, for confidentiality.

“Why the issue has currency now is that past students from the Jesuit school of the same name in Adelaide, St Ignatius, have only recently brought complaints to light about the same ex-Jesuit and these, as I understand it are subject to suppression in the SA Court.”