AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
October 14, 2014
Rachel Browne
Social Affairs Reporter
Three student whistleblowers who reported a teacher for touching younger girls in a sexual way at their religious school were reprimanded by a senior church member for the “dangers and implications” of their stories, a royal commission has heard.
The Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was told three girls aged 11 and 12 who complained about Northside Christian College teacher Kenneth Sandilands were rebuked for speaking out in 1987.
The commission also heard that church management did not tell the police once they became aware of seriousness of the allegations because the head pastor believed it was the parents’ responsibility to contact the authorities.
The then head of Northside Christian College, Denis Smith, told the commission he did not advise parents of victims to contact police but said they could speak to Sandilands.
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