COURT Told of Vic Priest's Student Abuse

9 News
July 26, 2017

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/07/27/03/32/vic-priest-faces-court-on-abuse-charges

A Catholic priest who sexually abused students more than 30 years ago preyed on one victim as he slept and after molesting another boy said he had "a lot of faith in him".

Frank Peter De Dood, 64, on Thursday pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawful and indecent assault against five students who were aged between 11 and 16 when they were abused between 1978 and 1983.

De Dood sexually abused the boys at Salesian College campuses at Chadstone and Sunbury, telling one boy no one would believe his complaints and he would be expelled if he told anyone what happened.

The priest sat with his hand covering his face for most of Thursday's plea hearing as prosecutor Matthew Fisher recounted details of the assaults to the Victorian County Court.

In one instance a 13-year-old was dressed in altar boy robes when assaulted in 1982.

A year later a boy the same age woke at Salesian College 'Rupertswood' in Sunbury to find De Dood molesting him.

In 1981 De Dood also indecently assaulted a 12-year-old boy in a classroom.

The priest then asked the student to stay behind, urging him to engage in a sex game using biscuits.

"Come on son, I have a lot of faith in you, you can do this," the priest said.

Before pleading guilty to all six offences on Thursday, De Dood told the court he was depressed.

"I'm very much suffering from depression, and stress and anxiety, and panic attacks," he said.

One of the students, now in his 50s, told the court he was still affected by what De Dood had done to him years ago.

"The man I am today in no way represents the man I should or could have been," he said in his victim impact statement.

He did not tell anyone about the abuse until 2002, which contributed to his marriage breakdown, alcoholism, and a suicide attempt.

"I lived with shame, fear and constant embarrassment that I was no good," he said.

The plea hearing before Judge Susan Cohen continues.

Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.

Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au.

Local Aboriginal Medical Service details available from www.bettertoknow.org.au/AMS