STUDENTS of Elite Sydney Schools Sue over Historic Sex Abuse Claims

9 News
April 6, 2016

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/04/06/06/41/students-of-elite-sydney-schools-sue-over-historic-sex-abuse-claims

Four elite Sydney schools are facing multimillion-dollar lawsuits by former students who say they suffered sexual abuse during their time at the colleges.

Ten damages claims have been filed in the NSW Supreme Court against four schools - Knox Grammar, Waverley College, De La Salle College Revesby Heights and The Scots College - according to Sydney lawyer Ross Koffel.

A former Knox student, Mr Koffel said he is preparing two further claims and is investigating another eight potential cases.

He said the students involved were allegedly sexually abused by teachers on school grounds or during a school activity, and the schools are accused of failing in their duty of care to the students.

The amounts claimed range from the hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions, and the average age of the plaintiffs is around 40.

"It takes a very long time, particularly a male who was assaulted, to actually talk about it and come forward," he said.

Knox Grammar School and the Presbyterian Church of NSW, which owns and operates The Scots College, both declined to comment while the claims are before the courts.

"We are committed to making every effort to help those who are hurting and to respond appropriately," the Presbyterian Church of NSW said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Church considers it critical to ensure such matters are dealt with in a way that maintains each individual's dignity, and we are committed to a process that strives for truth and confidentiality.

"These matters are now before the courts and the Presbyterian Church does not wish to make any statement that may impinge upon the independence of that process in the interests of those parties."

A spokesman from Knox, on Sydney's north shore said: "We are unable to comment while these claims are before the courts."

Christian Brothers said in a statement to ABC that a former Principal of Waverley College "strenuously denies" ignoring a complaint made in 1991.