Eight Geelong schools are among more than 200 across Victoria now facing legal action over allegations of abuse, as calls grow for a parliamentary inquiry.
Five fresh local allegations have surfaced in the last six months according to data published in the Herald Sun – two at Bell Park High School, one at Geelong Christian College, another at Geelong Grammar and one at Wyndham Technical School.
All up, schools in Geelong and Wyndham are now facing 19 law suits through legal firm Arnold Thomas and Becker, with many more being undertaken with other law firms.
Statewide there are now almost 400 alleged victims making claims against more than 200 government and independent schools.
Georgia Sneddon, from Arnold Thomas and Becker said fifty per cent of the claims have come in in the last six months.
“The information that we’re receiving, and the numbers that we have, highlight that it’s not just limited to a few schools,” Ms Sneddon said.
“Obviously people have been pretty severely wronged and they’re entitled to … compensation.
“Now, more than ever, it’s something that can be done.”
Geelong Grammar is the subject of seven separate allegations, the highest number in the Geelong region.
Kardinia International College is next with four, Bell Park High School is dealing with two cases, and Drysdale Primary School, Geelong Christian College, Geelong College, St Josephs College, Nelson Park School and Wyndham Tech face one each.
Melbourne’s Brighton Grammar tops the state list with 14 claimants, with Christian Brothers College (now known as Emmanuel College) second with 13.
Each individual cases could see payouts higher than a million dollars, far higher than the $150,000 available through the state redress scheme.
Arnold Thomas and Becker said the government should appoint a parliamentary committee to investigate systemic abuse in Victorian schools.
