Man claims sadistic sex abuse

By Amanda Banks
West Australian
July 02, 2015

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/28637496/man-claims-sadistic-sex-abuse/

Brother Verdon at Castledare, one of three brothers who is the subject of the claim.

A former resident of a Christian Brothers boys’ home has launched a Supreme Court bid for damages over claims of sadistic sexual abuse by three brothers more than 40 years ago.

A writ filed this week outlines the Perth man’s claims of psychiatric and psychological harm from the abuse he alleges was inflicted at Castledare Boys Home by Brothers Verdon, Dick and Daly between 1971 and 1973.

The action comes after a royal commission last year scrutinised historic sexual and physical abuse in a case study of Castledare and three other WA Christian Brothers homes.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard from 11 former residents of the homes, who named 16 Brothers as abusers.

The writ, lodged against the Trustees of the Christian Brothers and the estates of seven late leaders and members of the congregation, claimed the man was owed a duty of care and the sexual and physical assaults on him were breaches of that duty.

“The conduct of the defendants fell so far short of acceptable standards as to represent a contumelious disregard for the plaintiff's rights and violation of his rights to personal and bodily integrity,” the writ says.

It alleged the Christian Brothers and its leaders failed to supervise the man adequately when he was living at Castledare and also failed to supervise the three Brothers adequately.

The action alleges the Christian Brothers and former leaders are liable for the assaults and the harm they caused.

The writ seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering, interference with enjoyment of life, economic loss, medical expenses and future medical and psychological assistance.

A Christian Brothers spokesman said its preference was to work with claimants to settle matters expeditiously.

Where litigation was unavoidable, the Christian Brothers and its lawyers were bound by “guiding principles”. These drew on a clear commitment to work with those who were abused, with care and compassion in an environment of dignity.