Hutchins Old Scholars Urged to Snub Media Inquiries over 1960s Sex Abuse Allegations

news.com.au
October 10, 2014

http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/hutchins-old-scholars-urged-to-snub-media-inquiries-over-1960s-sex-abuse-allegations/story-fnn32rbc-1227086421765

Former students from Hutchins School have been asked to refer to the school any calls from reporters over 1960s sex abuse allegations soon to be aired in a royal commission. Source: News Limited

THE chairman of Hobart’s exclusive Hutchins School has written to former students asking them to refer media inquries about child sex allegations back to the school.

David Morris sent an email to old boys of the school, which was passed on to the Mercury.

It concludes: “The School now has comprehensive policies and procedures to deal with such matters.

“If you have any further queries or if you are contacted by media, please direct them to the Headmaster’s office.”

The email referred to allegations of sexual assault against a former headmaster of school which will be examined at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse next month.

The 1960s allegations against the late David Lawrence and former teacher Lyndon Hickman (1942-49 and 1964-65) were known to the all-male boarding school.

Mr Lawrence (1960-70) resigned as headmaster amid a scandal involving a relationship with a former student.

It is understood allegations were made to the commission at recent private hearings.

Mr Morris and Anglican Bishop John Harrower said the school and the Diocese would co-operate fully with the royal commission.

Mr Morris said the school had communicated via letter and email to more than 9000 Hutchins community members.

“The Hutchins School does not believe former students of the school should have to answer media queries,” he said.

“The Hutchins School and Anglican Diocese of Tasmania will appear at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Hobart in November.

“The Hutchins School communicated this to its entire school community, including parents of current students and old boys.

“The letter to old boys asked that any media enquiries be directed to the headmaster’s office.”

A spokesman for the school said the intention was not to stop former students from speaking to the media.

Originally published as Old boys told to refer media calls