Advocates for survivors welcome long awaited Victorian inquiry into historical abuse

28 June 2023

The firm, which represents several survivors of abuse at Beaumaris Primary, says survivors have waited decades for their stories to be acknowledged on the public record.

Principal lawyer John Rule said:

“We welcome this inquiry, which will provide a measure of healing for those people who live with the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.

“Our clients who were abused at Beaumaris Primary have been seeking the opportunity to be properly heard for many years.

“This inquiry is an important step towards justice, and we note the inquiry can go broader. This is important.

“We act for dozens of survivors of abuse at public schools across Victoria, and we certainly do expect that as the inquiry unfolds, its investigations will inevitably go further than this one school.”

Mr Rule said it was positive the board of inquiry will examine the response of the Education Department during the 1960s and 1970s to complaints of abuse.

“We know the department and school authorities have historically responded very poorly to allegations of abuse, including by shuffling perpetrators from school to school.

“We also welcome the Government’s indication that separate to this inquiry, it will act on complaints of aggressive tactics used by the Education Department in its defence of civil claims from survivors.”

Media enquires: Chee Chee Leung on 0412 560 584 or cleung@mauriceblackburn.com.au