St. Patrick’s College Ballarat 1972 – 1973 – A Call For Witnesses
Ryan Carlisle Thomas is working on behalf of a plaintiff in an institutional abuse civil proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria. He alleges he
RCT Abuse Law Team.
Malka Leifer Decision Reached
On 3 April 2023 the former principal of the Adass Israel School, Malka Leifer, was found guilty of child sexual abuse and rape by a
School Abuse
RCT Law can assist survivors with claims involving school abuse and has done so for many years. Sexual abuse by teachers, other members of school
Abuse in Religious Institutions
Our abuse law team can assist survivors with claims involving abuse in religious institutions or by people connected with those institutions, and has done so
Ballarat Orphanage sex abuse uncovered
Another coverup of child sexual abuse has been discovered, this time involving the Ballarat Orphanage. The ABC Background Briefing program has revealed that the superintendent
Victorian law unfairly treats State child abuse survivors: we tell the A-G
RCT Law has written to the Victorian Attorney-General recently seeking reform of certain provisions of the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic) which we believe have the
School abuse claims continue to rise
We continue to see an increase in reports of allegations of abuse in the context of schools – an environment where society expects and demands
Call for witnesses to abuse at schools – Burwood, Laverton, Benjeroop, Tyabb, Bannockburn
RCT Law is acting for for a client who alleges to have been abused by a teacher during the 1960s and 1970 in Victoria. We
Bayswater and Box Hill Boys’ Homes – where child abuse was rife
There is a dark history of abuse of vulnerable Victorian children in The Salvation Army. For many decades, The Salvation Army ran the Box Hill
Legal breakthrough in Child Migrant compensation
Lawyers in Victoria have worked out a legal means of winning compensation cases for former child migrants. Several cases involving former child migrants have now
National memorial to child abuse victims
All Australians are being invited to have their say about designs for a National Memorial dedicated to victims of child sexual abuse. On 22 October
$1.5M child abuse award encouraging for civil cases
A recent Victorian case in which a man has been awarded more than $1.5 million for school child sex abuse gives real hope to survivors
$1.5M child abuse award encouraging for civil cases
A recent Victorian case in which a man has been awarded more than $1.5 million for school child sex abuse gives real hope to survivors
Breakthrough payout against Child Migrant Scheme
There is finally good news for the post-war child migrants who attended the Northcote Farm School at Bacchus Marsh. A landmark Victorian settlement has recently
National Redress Scheme: We pinpoint the failures
The plight of abuse survivor David Francis, as covered by ABC News, highlights the grave failures of the National Redress Scheme for survivors of sexual
New workplace sex abuse and harassment Redress Scheme set up for police
While a new Redress Scheme has been set up to compensate police for sexual abuse and harassment, it may not be your best option for
Israeli Court rules Malka Leifer be extradited to Australia
One step closer to justice for child sex abuse survivors In a positive move forward, an Israeli Court has ruled that former Melbourne school principal,
New mandatory reporting laws in Queensland
In a positive step forward for survivors of abuse in Queensland, the State Government has passed new laws which make it an offence for clergy
Abuse survivors wait while Jehovah’s Witnesses and others stall on National Redress
Hundreds of survivors who have applied for financial redress through the National Redress Scheme are having to wait months while the organisations against whom the
Defence Force abuse – Reparation payment deadline
This is a reminder for those who suffered abuse in the Australian Defence Force (‘Defence Force’) and wish to make an application for a reparation payment.
$420,000 student “hazing” payout puts Universities on notice
A former law student of the Australian National University was recently awarded damages of $420,000 by the ACT Supreme Court (‘John’s Case’) after having been
Profile: The paedophile priests of Holy Family Primary
From the outside, Holy Family Primary School and Doveton Parish seemed to be your regular primary school and parish throughout the 1960s to late 1990s.
The grubby history of abuse at Scouts Victoria
Scout leaders are among the worst perpetrators of abuse in the Australian sports and recreational sector. In this blog, we identify some of the worst scout
Ballarat Schools – sites of unspeakable horrors
Unfortunately, the Ballarat Diocese stands in a league of its own when it comes to the sexual and physical abuse horrors that took place within
Parkville Youth Justice Centre – A disaster still standing
How and why is Parkville Youth Justice Centre still standing and will it continue to do so indefinitely? It has been widely reported that the
Abuse compensation claim settled for Sale man
RCT Law has recently settled a compensation claim for a man who was abused as a student and boarder at St. Patrick’s College in Sale
Dark tales continue to emerge from Geelong Grammar
Geelong Grammar School, once renowned for its exceptional teaching staff and prestigious alumni, has in the past few years grappled with the less flattering association
Bringing a claim in negligence for abuse at school
Trinity Grammar has come under the spotlight recently, after allegations were made against four of its teachers of child sexual abuse occurring in the 1970s. We act
What you need to know before claiming under the National Redress Scheme
What you need to know before claiming under the National Redress Scheme Because of the limitations on payments within the Redress Scheme, most people who
How the new Sexual Abuse Redress scheme is not working
The Commonwealth Government’s sexual abuse redress scheme has now been operating since 1 July 2018 and we’ve learnt something already. Payments are assessed under a
Catholic Church has $30 billion. What about redress?
A recent investigation undertaken by the Age has revealed that the Catholic Church currently owns real estate and other assets in Australia to the estimated
To litigate or not to litigate? The Federal Redress Scheme
Update on the Commonwealth’s response to child abuse As the Commonwealth Government’s Redress scheme continues to be debated, we address a question that many clients
The case for removing ‘seal of confession’ for child sexual abuse
Last week, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (‘the Royal Commission’) made a recommendation, that the “seal of the confessional” within
New Victorian laws make it easier to sue for child sex abuse
Duty of care strengthened New Victorian laws have been introduced that will make it easier to establish that certain organisations owe a duty of care towards
Are civil and criminal sex abuse cases different?
In institutional and sexual abuse, what is the difference between a civil claim and a criminal case? Do survivors need to report their allegations of
New details on Commonwealth led Compensation Scheme
There has been a distinct lack of details provided about the Commonwealth led compensation scheme since it was announced by Malcolm Turnbull in November last
The reasons behind a surge in sexual abuse enquiries
Over the past four years, Ryan Carlisle Thomas has received a large number of enquiries from members of the public who were sexually abused during
New Anglican sex abuse stats suggest national approach needed
Royal Commission hearings into Child Sexual Abuse As the Royal Commission’s hearings into the child protection practices and policies of various church bodies continue, and
Christian Brothers underpaid abuse survivors on compensation
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse Christian Brothers underpaid survivors of sexual abuse because they believed they were “going to be taken to the cleaners”,
What is the cause of child abuse in the Catholic Church?
The Royal Commission continued its investigations this week into the current policies and procedures of Catholic Church in Australia with an even more persistent analysis
Child abuse in the Catholic Church: Here are the statistics
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse hearings One of the many useful functions performed by the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse has been the
Does Catholic Church law lead to the cover up of abuse?
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse hearings The current practices and procedures of the Catholic Church have been under intense scrutiny over the past two
Does Catholic Church screening process stand up to scrutiny?
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse hearings What is an appropriate screening process for lay persons wishing to enter a Catholic religious order, especially one
History of abuse in juvenile detention: Let’s not repeat it
The public has called on the Victorian State Government to get tough on youth crime following rioting by residents at Victoria’s Parkville and Malmsbury youth
Sex abuse stats “tragic, indefensible” says Catholic Church
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse hearings Today marked the start of a hearing which will examine the current policies and procedures of the Catholic
Police apology to child sex abuse victims delayed
Victoria’s Police chief commissioner, Graham Ashton, has said it is likely that the police will issue an apology to survivors of institutional child sex abuse
Ridsdale faces numerous charges of pedophilia
Father Gerald Ridsdale appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, 20 January 2017, via videolink from prison. Ridsdale appeared for a mention hearing regarding allegations
Onus of proof to be reversed in Victorian child abuse cases
Institutions now forced to disclose documents A new Bill has been introduced into Parliament which will reverse the onus of proof so that entities that
Catholic Church to double compo for abuse survivors
Melbourne Response payments to rise from $75,000 to $150,000 The Archdiocese of Melbourne today announced that the compensation cap for survivors of abuse will be
Fair, simple and generous? Queries remain for abuse compo
In announcing a Commonwealth-led compensation scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse yesterday, Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the scheme would be fair, simple
Brother Best remains in Order despite child sexual abuse convictions
Brother Robert Charles Best appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 4 November via video link from Ararat prison. He pleaded guilty to further
Fair, simple and generous? Queries remain for abuse compo
In announcing a Commonwealth-led compensation scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse yesterday, Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the scheme would be fair, simple
Sexual abuse Redress Scheme finally announced
Survivors of abuse to get up to $150,000 More than 13 months after the release of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Salvos sexual predator Robert Burnett likely to die in jail
Robert Burnett, the 77-year-old former employee of the Salvation Army who worked at Bayswater Boys’ Home, has been sentenced to 18 and a half years
Commission criticises so-called therapy
Report on Turana, Baltara and Winlaton released The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has released a report detailing its findings from
Royal Commission report into Salvation Army Boys’ Homes
A report released this week by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (“the Commission”) has delivered findings critical of the response
How can I sue an individual for abuse or injury? Is it worth it?
Many people are aware that institutions such as government departments, businesses and religious bodies can be sued for damages for personal injury. What’s less known
‘All it takes for bad things to happen is for good people to do nothing’
The evidence of Bishop Brian Finnigan, former priest from the Diocese of Ballarat and current Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, was under scrutiny today at the
Archbishop Hart and survivors continue harrowing evidence at Royal Commission
Case Study 35 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse resumed today with an investigation into the abhorrent sexual abuse of
The details behind record $1 million school abuse decision
Court rules school “directly liable” for abuse due to the extent of power and control given to the perpetrator Hadassa Erlich, a victim of sexual
Winlaton abuse survivor tells Royal Commission of sexual abuse and “triads”
A former resident of the Victorian children’s institution Winlaton has given evidence of sexual abuse and forced group counselling programs known as “triads” to the
Former Turana wards tell Royal Commission of horrifying abuse
Three ex-residents of the former Victorian government-run youth institution Turana have told of the physical, psychological and sexual abuse they experienced in state care to
“There is no medicine that will cure trauma”; Sexual abuse health expert
A week into Royal Commission public hearings in Ballarat, a sexual abuse health expert gave compelling evidence on the pervasive effects of child sexual and
Child abuse by Catholic nuns examined at Australian and Northern Ireland inquiries
Children abused while living in the care of two well-known Catholic orders are having their stories recorded by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Child
Litigation has failed the victims of institutional abuse
It’s time the Government set up a compensation fund. On 16 November 2009, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised to Forgotten Australians and to the
Our usual Blog authors are lawyers employed by Ryan Carlisle Thomas and/or its associated entity, Stringer Clark.
From time to time, we may also publish blogs authored by other staff members or guest bloggers. Where this is the case, it will be made clear. Any advice applies to Victorian State law as at the date of first publication. The information is a general guide only and is not a substitute for legal advice applicable to a user’s own circumstances.
Residents of other Australian States or Territories or countries are advised to seek legal advice from a lawyer practising in their own area, as laws may vary from region to region.