Offending Institutions: The Worst Schools in Australia
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse exposed a deep and disturbing history of abuse across Australia’s schools. From elite private institutions
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse exposed a deep and disturbing history of abuse across Australia’s schools. From elite private institutions
From the outside, Yasmar Boys’ Home may have looked like a grand heritage estate, but for the boys sent there, it was a place of
For thousands of Australian children, the name Minda evokes anything but protection. Despite its origins in an Aboriginal word meaning “shelter,” Minda Juvenile Justice Centre
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse uncovered a horrible truth: institutions designed to nurture and develop children often become places of
Former Daruk Training School superintendent and federal politician Alasdair Webster has failed in his bid to have child abuse charges against him thrown out of court. Kelso Lawyers
Cobham Youth Justice Centre, formally known as Cobham Remand Centre, has a long and shocking history of child abuse. For decades, countless children within the
As written by the founder and principal of Kelso Lawyers, Peter Kelso As a former State Ward and long-term advocate for victims of child abuse,
South Australia has a long and shameful history of institutional child abuse. This was laid bare in the final report of the Children in State
Christiaan Beullens is a former officer of Daruk Training School for Boys. From around 1970 to 1981, he lived and worked on the grounds of
As written by the founder and principal of Kelso Lawyers, Peter Kelso It was with great satisfaction that I received the news in March 2023
Located near Lismore NSW, Woodlawn College has a shameful history when it comes to child abuse. There have been allegations of abuse against several former
The statistics surrounding pedophile priests in Western Australia are alarming. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that, between 1950 and
As written by the founder and principal of Kelso Lawyers, Peter Kelso As a former State Ward and long-term advocate for victims of child abuse,
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide which some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. Child abuse in swimming is a serious problem
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide which some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. All Australian children are guaranteed a place in
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide which some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. The Royal Commission held private sessions with 408
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide which some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. The passing of legislation in 1864 allowed Victorian
St Patrick’s College was a day and boarding school for boys in Goulburn NSW run by the Christian Brothers. It ceased to exist in 2000
Castledare Junior Orphanage was one of four offending Children’s Homes in Western Australia, described as part of a “quadrangular scheme” for the Christian Brothers. Like
Between 1970 and 1984, at least four paedophile priests were sent to the Holy Family Parish, Doveton. Situated in one of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities,
In 2017, the Catholic Church released the number of child sexual abuse claims made against staff from their religious schools and orphanages. The Church identified
Gill Memorial Home for Boys in Goulburn is considered one of the worst offending children’s homes in New South Wales. The boys were brutally beaten,
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide which some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. Marist Brothers Hamilton has a horrific history of
The Catholic Church has a shameful history of child sexual abuse in Melbourne and the rest of Victoria — but for decades, the clergy’s behaviour
Riverview Training Farm is well known as one of Queensland’s worst-ever children’s homes. Run by the Salvation Army, the teenage residents were forced to work
Youth detention centres in Australia have a damning history. From Reiby Youth Justice Centre to Mt Penang Training School in New South Wales and Turana
The Child Welfare Department established Clairvaux Children’s Home in Katoomba, NSW, in 1969. At the time, other state institutions like Mittagong, Brush Farm, and Werrington
From the outside, Royleston Boys Home in Glebe looked like a lavish manor — Victorian-style arched windows, fine brickwork and a sweeping veranda. The home
In the past, we have investigated several New South Wales children’s homes for their improper conduct as well as the physical and sexual abuse of
Mittagong Training School was no place for children. From 1906 until the home’s closure in 1976, NSW state wards were sent to Mittagong for many
Were you abused at any of these facilities? Click here to share your story with us. You may be eligible for compensation. Mt Penang (now
Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre is one of NSW’s most notorious youth detention facilities. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, adult employees committed shocking acts of
WARNING: This article contains explicit sexual content, child abuse and mutilation which may shock and trigger some people. Reader discretion is advised. Beatings, genital mutilation,
The Institution for Boys, Tamworth, was established by the Child Welfare Department in 1948. Originally a colonial prison the Institution for Boys was a place
WARNING: This article may contain content that is disturbing to some. Reader discretion is advised. The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is a tri-military training
The classroom should be a place where children feel safe. There should be no barriers between them and their learning. Their teacher should be a
“Communication is the fabric of all relationships,” says Kenja Communication. It’s the first thing you’ll read on their website, stating communication is the key to
Brisbane Grammar School. Established in 1868 and known for being the leading school for boys in Queensland. St Paul’s School. An exclusive Anglican School named
The Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria has the power to remove children from their parents if the child is thought to be
Since the Skype sex scandal in April 2011, where a female cadet was filmed having sex with a coworker without her permission or knowledge, countless
Some of the worst cases of historical child sexual abuse in Australia occurred at Castledare Junior Orphanage and St Vincent’s Orphanage Clontarf in Western Australia.
St Patrick’s College and St Alipius Boys’ School are a black mark on the history of Catholicism. Learn more about the history of abuse at
In 2013, Scouts Australia’s NSW branch was investigated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Part of this investigation concerned the
Over two weeks in 2015, the Royal Commission heard shocking evidence revealing the dark history of child sexual abuse and cover-ups at the prestigious Knox
The North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore is one of the worst offending institutions in New South Wales. During the Royal Commission, several child abuse
The YMCA has a lot to answer for in New South Wales. In 2009, YMCA New South Wales hired a casual childcare assistant for their
St Ann’s Special School (now called Our Lady of La Vang School) was established in 1975 through Catholic Special Schools Incorporated. Based in Adelaide, the
Parramatta Girls Training School & Hay Institute, Daruk Boys’ Home, Tamworth Institution for Boys, Royleston Boys’ Home, Mittagong Training School for Boys, Berry Training Farm,
The orphanage was established in 1885 to accommodate children transferred from St Joseph’s Orphanage in Bucasia, Queensland. Managed by the Sisters of Mercy, with priests
This South Melbourne orphanage was established as a home for boys between 9 and 16 in 1855. It was meant to be the answer to
Foster Care Statistics Australia: The rate of children in foster care has been on the rise and the foster care system is struggling. Learn more
The Royal Commission didn’t just uncovered hundreds of paedophiles hiding within the largest institutions in Australia, but also the people who failed to report them. These
Father Peter Rushton was a sadistic and violent sexual offender who is believed to have abused hundreds of boys over a 40-year career across the
For years, the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle allowed child sexual abuse to go unchecked. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse exposed
Here’s a list of disgraced Australian institutions that have been investigated at the Australian Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission turned the
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for keeping to themselves. They believe Armageddon (the end of the world) is imminent and the establishment of God’s Kingdom
Emotional, physical and sexual abuse by clergy and older boys became a way of life for boys living in four Christian Brothers children’s homes from
Repeated claims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by two teachers at several Marist Brothers schools fell on deaf ears over several decades. The Royal Commission
WARNING: This article includes references to suicide, which some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. In 2014, shocking allegations of brutal sexual and
The Salvation Army suffered a severe blow to its reputation following Case Studies 5 and 10 at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child