Geelong Grammar Vows to Learn from Past Mishandling of Child Sexual Abuse Claims

ABC News
February 15, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-14/geelong-grammar-to-learn-from-past-mistakes-over-sex-abuse/8270684

PHOTO: Geelong Grammar has apologised to victims for the abuse and the school's neglect. (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)

One of Victoria's most prestigious private schools, Geelong Grammar, has vowed to learn from its mistakes in handling allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has handed down its report into allegations of abuse by Geelong Grammar staff between 1956 and 1989.

In its findings, the commission noted times when no action was taken against an offending teacher and a victim was asked to leave the school for talking about abuse.

"The royal commission found that the principal at the time … should have ensured the allegations were investigated and the school council notified," it said.

The commission heard that in the 1990s, two principals allowed one teacher to remain at the school with unsupervised access to students despite knowing of allegations against him, and failed to prepare policies or procedures to protect students.

It also found the school prioritised its own financial interests in a victim compensation claim.

Five former staff members of the school have been convicted of child sex offences.

The commission said it believed Geelong Grammar still had no way of monitoring the effectiveness of its child abuse policies.

"The royal commission heard that before 1994, Geelong Grammar had no formal systems, policies and procedures in place dealing specifically with child sexual abuse, or to prevent child abuse," it said.

"Although policies are now in place, there is no system to either monitor the success of the policies or capture how often teachers are reporting allegations, in accordance with the policies and procedures."

'We are very sorry'

Geelong Grammar principal Stephen Meek issued a statement on Tuesday apologising to victims for the abuse and the school's neglect.

He said the school would learn from its failings so students were better protected.

"Like all members of the school community, I was appalled to hear of the abuse which was perpetrated against some students at the school over the last 50 years. I wholeheartedly apologise again to survivors on behalf of the school," he said.

"We are also very sorry that some of the school's former senior staff neglected to respond to some of our past students with the respect and protection they so rightfully deserved.

"The school deeply regrets the wrongful conduct by some of its former staff and I assure you that the current school leadership will continue to address these matters and support those affected."

Mr Meek said the school had set up a recognition committee this year to support victims of the abuse.

He said "key issues" that had arisen from the commission public hearing in 2015 had already been addressed, and the school had recently updated its policies to reflect new child safety standards.

"Every year we complete a comprehensive review of our child protection policies to ensure all policies reflect the school's zero tolerance of child abuse and comply with changes in legislation as they come into effect."