A former student at Rupertswood Salesian College in Sunbury has received a $1 million legal settlement more than 30 years after he was raped by Catholic priest David Rapson.

While the money will help him deal with his ailing health, Ben Monagle says nothing can compensate for the harm caused by Rapson, which triggered decades of drug abuse, mental health problems, criminal offending and estrangement from his four children.

“I guess it’s closure in a sense and I have to shut the door as best I can. But the money won’t really help with all the crap I’ve been through and the stuff I’ve put others through,” Mr Monagle said.

Mr Monagle’s lawyer, Viv Waller, said he would receive $1,012,435, which would be managed by the courts to help fund stable accommodation and medical treatment.

“The settlement is the largest recorded award for psychiatric injury in Victoria,” Dr Waller said.

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