Premier announces inquiry into historical sex abuse at Beaumaris Primary School

Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

A school should be a place of learning, love and care. But in the 1960s and ’70s, Beaumaris Primary School was the opposite, with numerous cases of what Premier Daniel Andrews has called “vile, evil and incredibly damaging abuse”.

Victim-survivors will have a chance to speak their truth at a board of inquiry into historical sexual abuse that occurred at the school in Melbourne’s south-east.

The premier has announced an inquiry into historical sexual abuse allegations at Beaumaris Primary School.Credit: Istock

The premier announced the inquiry on Wednesday, saying the investigation would acknowledge the “unique and evil goings-on” perpetrated in the past by at least three teachers at the school. It will also examine abuse by the same employees at other government schools.

Andrews said the inquiry was not investigating the current Beaumaris Primary School, or any other current school or contemporary staff members.

But he said the terms of reference for the inquiry did not prohibit the inquiry going further.

“If evidence takes the inquiry there, then that’s where inquiry will go,” he said.

Victim-survivor Tim said the inquiry was a significant milestone.

“It’s all about … people that have lost their voices,” he said. “I know of three people who aren’t with us anymore and sort of really feel that we needed to speak for them.”

Tim did not detail his own experience but said he hoped the community could understand that child sexual abuse was more prevalent than people thought.

“The guys that haven’t spoken, haven’t gotten the voices yet can finally stand up and speak, knowing full well that they’ve got support,” he said.

The inquiry, chaired by Kathleen Foley, SC, will report to the government in February and will also examine abuse by the same employees at other government schools.

The premier said an apology from the government to victim-survivors of abuse at state schools, and particularly Beaumaris Primary School, would follow.

“We have made commitments to provide an apology to care-leavers and others,” he said. “I think the unique circumstances at Beaumaris Primary School … we believe it is warranted to have a separate apology that acknowledges the unique and evil goings-on at that school.”

“Schools should be a place of love and care and learning … Beaumaris Primary School certainly was not during the ’60s and ’70s.”

The board of inquiry, which is independent of government, will establish an official public record of the experiences of victim-survivors, as well as abuse perpetrated by the same staff members at other government schools.

It will report on the response of the Department of Education at the time; the most appropriate ways to support healing; and whether support services for victim-survivors are effective.

More to come

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek Among Actors Urging SAG-AFTRA Leaders to Take a Hard Line: ‘This Is Not a Moment to Meet in the Middle’
Next post Raquel Leviss 'In Talks' To Return To Vanderpump Rules BUT…