Date: 6 August 2021
The Courier Mail
A sexual abuse claim involving one of Queensland’s most prestigious schools has been settled out of court.
The Southport School on the Gold Coast, has been embroiled in several explosive court actions brought by former students alleging they were sexually or physically abused during their time at the school.
A former student who claimed to have been sexually abused by two perpetrators – including a boarding master, at the school in 1999 and 20000, reached a settlement deal last week.
It is not the first case to reach an out-of-court settlement involving the school while several other claims are also in motion, including a former student who has instructed lawyers to sue the school for millions of dollars.
The terms of the latest settlement are confidential, but it is understood to be in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Acting for the man, Shine Lawyers Abuse Law Specialist Kimberly Allen said he had been incredibly courageous throughout the ordeal.
The Southport School has been embroiled in several scandals with allegations of sexual and physical abuse.
Picture: Tim Marsden
“No amount of compensation will ever make up for what our client experienced as a vulnerable schoolboy, but it does bring him a much needed sense of justice,” she said.
“Our client has shown incredible courage to withstand what has been a drawn out legal process.
“He has had to live with ongoing trauma and now he can finally try and move forward knowing TSS has rightfully acknowledged his pain and suffering.
“What happened to our client at such an impressionable age has severely impacted his life. “His innocence was taken from him by two male perpetrators when he was trying to complete year 9 as a TSS boarder.
“He took on the school wanting to ensure that no other student would experience what he did.”
Shine is also representing half a dozen other clients in actions against TSS.
The school has settled more than 10 claims brought by former students in recent years over allegations of sexual and physical abuse stretching from the 1970s through to the start of the millennium.
In a statement, TSS Principal Andrew Hawkins acknowledged the claim had been settled.
“Cases of this nature can be complex and distressing. We are pleased for the former student that the case has now been settled,” he said.
“It is public fact that abuse occurred in the School in the distant past, for which the School has accepted responsibility.
“Every claim of abuse is taken seriously by TSS and the victim will be supported.”
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