New Abuse Claims Hit Scotch College

By Steve Lillebuen
The Age
July 31, 2015

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-abuse-claims-hit-scotch-college-20150730-ginyd6.html

Scotch College.

One of Australia's top private schools has been hit with further legal action over alleged sexual abuse.

Melbourne's Scotch College, which has already settled five historical abuse cases, is now facing two more claims of sexual abuse on school grounds and expects even more to be filed in the coming months.

The new abuse claims, which involve allegations dating back at least 20 years, come after the school reached out to survivors of childhood abuse in May and encouraged them to come forward.

In a letter to the school community, principal Tom Batty said the school's handling of historical abuse remained an ongoing process that will continue to act in the best interests of abuse survivors.

"Scotch has received two further legal claims and expects further legal claims to be presented and dealt with," he wrote in the letter on Thursday night.

"It is not possible to imagine the suffering caused by those who betrayed the trust placed in them to care for boys at their most vulnerable. In reaching out to old boys and dealing with their concerns, the school believes it is being transparent and supportive to those it failed, while being respectful of the widespread desire amongst old boys for privacy."

He said any abuse survivor can call the school's psychologist, who can offer counselling, refer them to support services or police and encourage them to seek independent legal advice.

?The school will not reveal how many complaints it has received – only those that have become official legal claims – or specify exact time periods in which the abuse allegedly occurred.

Dr Cathy Kezelman, president of Adults Surviving Child Abuse, said the school should be more forthcoming with dates.

But the school was still taking a reasonable and balanced approach to such a sensitive issue, she said.

"It sounds like a proactive approach," she said. "It allows people to maintain their privacy while also acknowledging that some people will choose to go public with it."

She said survivors should also be encouraged to contact the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which has held more than 3700 private sessions.

The royal commission is currently examining the Jehovah's Witnesses in Sydney but will return to Melbourne in August for public hearings involving children in state-run youth training programs.

In September, Geelong Grammar will face public hearings involving its own handling of historical sex abuse cases.

One of its former teachers, John Buckley, recently pleaded guilty to abusing boys more than 30 years ago.