Tim Courtney says his behaviour changed “almost overnight” when he began experiencing the sexual abuse he says he suffered for years while attending primary school in Melbourne during the 1970s.
Courtney alleges he was sexually abused as a child by former teacher Gary Mitchell – who has been sentenced five times for child sexual abuse offences – and another staff member at Beaumaris primary school, in Melbourne’s south-east.
On Monday he appeared as the first witness at a Victorian inquiry investigating allegations of historical child sexual abuse at Beaumaris during the 1960s and 1970s, and at 23 other state schools where the alleged perpetrators also worked.
The inquiry has named three alleged perpetrators who were former Beaumaris teachers – Mitchell, Grahame Steele and David MacGregor.
Courtney told the inquiry he experienced “dissociation” after the alleged abuse began.
“There was a fear of going to school caused by the initial abuse and the ongoing abuse,” he said.
Courtney said he found out later in life his mother had raised issues with his then school principal over concerns about her son’s changed behaviour and mood.
Asked by counsel assisting Kate Stowell what changed after her mother raised issues with the school, Courtney replied “nothing”.
“The outcome was the abuse continued,” he said.
Courtney said the alleged abuse by Mitchell occurred during 1972. The alleged abuse by the other staff member went on for a number of years during the 1970s, the inquiry heard.
He says in an attempt to protect himself, he tried to make himself “invisible” and “blend in”.
“I became quite introverted and very aware of what was going on. I had a very clear idea in my mind that other people knew what was taking place.”
Discussing the legacy of the alleged abuse, he said it destroyed his trust in authority. In adulthood, he said he was reluctant to have children with his wife. Now a father of two, he said seeing his children go to primary school was a “concern” and he tried to get to know their teachers to protect them.
“I made a commitment to ensure that what happened to me wouldn’t happen to them,” he said.
Courtney, who also gave evidence at a nationwide royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, told the inquiry he had never shared with anyone the specifics of the abuse he alleges he suffered, but described it as “profound” and “intrusive”.
He said a one-stop-shop for victims of child sexual abuse in schools should be established to offer support and triage them to other services.
Courtney also took aim at the education department, saying it needed to accept its failure before a formal apology was delivered.
“There continues to be a reluctancy,” he said.
Before he resigned as premier, Daniel Andrews had pledged to deliver a formal apology to recognise abuse victim-survivors who attended Beaumaris primary school, and described the abuse as “vile, evil and incredibly damaging”.
The apology will be separate to a wider apology the government is due to deliver later this year that will recognise historical child abuse in institutional care settings like orphanages.
Courtney said he would encourage other victim-survivors to come forward as part of the inquiry.
“In my experience, silence is the enemy of the survivor.”
The inquiry’s chair, Kathleen Foley SC, on Monday said child sexual abuse was “abhorrent” and could cost lives.
She said child sexual abuse taking place within an institution like a school was unique because it involved an exploitation of a power balance.
“It also involves the exploitation of trust that children, families and the communities place in the institution and the people who work in them,” she said.
The inquiry is due to report to the government by the end of February.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
