Salesian College to offer public apology for abuse of students

Salesian College in Sunbury, Victoria, will host a public apology next month to victims and loved ones affected by historical sexual abuse there.

Australia-Pacific Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco provincial Fr Greg Chambers will present the apology on December 8 to victims and their families in gardens in front of the Rupertswood Mansion, where a plaque will be placed on a “sorry stone.”

Years of abuse at the then boarding school from the 1970s to the 1990s has led to past priests being imprisoned, while other staff associated with the college at the time have been ordered to pay substantial compensation.

Salesian College principal Mark Brockhus said the apology and monument was a starting point in confronting the college’s past, which had impacted on dozens of victims.

“The apology is about making a sincere statement in a public setting which deals which the trust that was abused and broken in the past,” he said.

“The statement and monument has been something we have been working on for some time and we have had past students consult us in how to make this happen.

“We hope this apology will start a process of healing that will lead to more meaningful and ongoing support to those affected.”

Mr Brockhus said former students were asked to attend a public discussion on the past abuse earlier this year.

He said a barcode on the sorry stone could be scanned by a mobile device and link to a recording and transcript of the apology and information on how to find help.