Teacher accused of child abuse at St Ignatius College, Riverview faces trial in another state

By Emma Partridge
Brisbane Times
March 25, 2015

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/teacher-accused-of-child-abuse-at-st-ignatius-college-riverview-faces-trial-in-another-state-20150324-1m6rcy.html

St Ignatius College, Riverview: One of Sydney's most prestigious private schools.

A teacher accused of sexually abusing a student at one of Sydney's most prestigious private schools more than 30 years ago is facing trial for historical child abuse charges in another state.

NSW Police began investigating the sexual abuse allegations made by a former St Ignatius College, Riverview student after they learned the same teacher was before the courts charged with a number of child sex offences. 

On Monday principal Paul Hine sent a letter to former students informing them of an allegation that concerned "child sexual abuse over 30 years ago".

The Provincial of the Australian Jesuits, Fr Brian McCoy, said the allegations Mr Hine referred to were dealt with ten years ago and that the victim had come forward to ensure it happened to no-one else, but was adamant about not pursuing charges.

"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," Father McCoy said.

"We encouraged him to go to the police but the complainant, as I understand it, chose to not press charges," he said.

"He valiantly wanted the situation known to ensure it never happened to anyone else. He sought [that] and we respect his request for privacy, for confidentiality."

NSW Police began looking into the allegations at the north shore school after police from another state informed them the former teacher had been charged with a number of child sex offences in 2014. 

Mr Hines said he did "not want to run away" from any allegations of child abuse and decided to inform old students to encourage anyone with information to come forward. 

"The entire purpose [of the letter] was to encourage anybody that knows anything about this to come forward and if they need help the school is there to provide what it can at this time."

"It's a sad day for the school – we need to get through this. We need to make sure we get through this and with integrity and in the best interest of the victims."