Secrecy maintains Child-On-Child sex abuse in schools.
Unless parents speak up neither government or schools will change their course.
Did you know? More than one in ten Victorian schools is now under investigation for historic sexual abuse, with over 500 former students potentially claiming up to one billion dollars in compensation. In recent years, In Defence of Children has been working with parents who have reported incidents such as:
- Girls in a Victorian Catholic school selling sexual intercourse for five dollars a pop to boys in a gender neutral toilet.
- A grade 4 boy, pulling down a 5 year old girls pants to sexually assault her in a girl’s toilet.
- Children of 5 to 6 years of age crying when photos of genitalia were shown to them in a Jewish School.
- Kids as members of GSA (Gender Sex Alliance) and Stand out clubs in State Schools reporting on other kids for not complying with Gender Identity Ideology.
And so much more.
Should schools be concerned? It seems the answer is no. Instead, what we are witnessing is a crackdown on parents who dare to speak up—an insistence on silence and secrecy. If parents refuse to comply, their children may face expulsion, and parents risk being reported to various social services.
Below is a letter likely to be sent out today from a parent of such a school (name withheld), where her child faces expulsion due to her speaking up about filthy books in the School library:
“I write this letter as a deeply concerned parent, not only for my daughter’s safety and education but also for the broader issue of child safety across Victorian schools and within the Catholic education system. It is deeply disheartening that my concerns, grounded in my responsibility to safeguard my child, appear to have been dismissed by XXX Primary. Instead, my persistent efforts to address these issues seem to have been used as justification for expelling my child.
This dismissal is particularly troubling given the following context:
The State of Child Safety in Victoria
Rising Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse:
Recent data reveals that incidents of child-on-child sexual abuse[i] have surged across Victorian schools. On average, six such incidents are reported to police every school week, with half occurring in primary schools. Programs such as Sexuality Education and Respectful Relationships, while well-intentioned, have contributed to the normalization of hyper-sexualized discussions among children, eroding clear boundaries and contributing to a climate of vulnerability.
Recently within the XX Primary itself, there has been an alarming incident involving a boy allegedly sexually assaulting a girl in the girl’s toilets. The school mentioned that this would be reported to police, yet inquiries with the Mildura SOCIT found no record of such a report. This failure, if confirmed, not only breaches Victoria’s Failure to Protect legislation but also demonstrates a disregard for the safety of children entrusted to the school’s care. Back in September 2023 to June 2024, the law firm, Arnold Thomas & Becker, investigated historical abuse allegations [ii]on behalf of 470 students from over 300 Victorian -schools, 12 of these children are from St Patrick’s (Catholic) College in Ballarat, our diocese. Hence how the school handles Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse is a relevant concern.
Historical Failures in Catholic Institutions:
The Catholic Church has faced decades of global scrutiny for failing to protect children from abuse, prioritizing institutional reputation over the safety of those in its care. In 2024, more than 10% of Victorian schools were under investigation for historical abuse, with over 500 former students filing claims. Surely the Church’s mission must now reflect the hard-earned lessons of this dark history: the need for transparency, accountability, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding children.Parental Duty in Safeguarding:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators and protectors of their children. It is my duty as a parent to safeguard my child against harm, both physical and spiritual. This responsibility cannot be abdicated or dismissed, even when interacting with schools. XXX Primary’s insistence that parents simply "trust the professional judgment" of staff, while withholding transparency about critical matters, undermines this sacred duty. It also replicates the past where unquestioning trust in authority led to the harm of thousands of children.
The Importance of Transparency and Respect for Parents
Transparency is not just a legal and moral obligation—it is a cornerstone of trust between schools and families. When schools operate with secrecy, withholding information about curricula, programs, or incidents involving students, they erode the confidence that parents must have to entrust their children to the school’s care.
At XXX Primary, the lack of transparency is particularly troubling:
Library Books: My 9-year-old child flagged library books as inappropriate, yet my request to review these books was denied by the principal, despite his holding them during our meeting. If there was no issue with these books it is hard to imagine why the books would not have been shown to me.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): This program includes content on gender identity and other sensitive topics, which conflict with Catholic teachings and undermine the family’s role as the primary emotional support system for children.
Mishandling of Abuse: The failure to report a sexual assault incident to the appropriate authorities violates both the law and the moral duty of the school to protect its students. Not forbidding boys to enter the girls’ school toilets means there is no safety from future incidents reoccurring.
Why Secrecy Undermines Trust and Safety
As a parent, I am compelled to question:
If the library books are suitable and aligned with Catholic teachings, why are they hidden from review?
If the SEL program is consistent with Catholic teachings, why are its details not openly shared with parents?
If incidents of abuse are being handled appropriately, why is there no record with the police, as required by law?
Secrecy not only undermines trust but also creates an environment where harm can flourish unchecked. It reflects the same systemic issues that have plagued the Church in the past and caused immeasurable harm to countless children.
Moving Forward
In light of this context, I respectfully urge XXX Primary School and the Diocese to address the specific concerns I have raised regarding transparency, SEL content, and child safety. These concerns are not isolated complaints—they reflect broader systemic issues that require immediate attention.
I believe strongly in the Catholic mission of education and the Church’s commitment to nurturing both the spiritual and physical well-being of its students. My concerns are raised in this spirit, with the hope that we can work together to ensure a safe, transparent, and values-aligned environment for all children.
I request the following:
Transparency: Immediate access to the library books and SEL content for parental review.
Accountability: An investigation into the handling of the reported sexual assault, ensuring compliance with mandatory reporting laws.
Safety Measures: Clear policies that prioritize child safety, including reviewing the use of shared toilets.
Realignment with Catholic Values: Removal or revision of SEL content that conflicts with Catholic teachings.
I trust that you will consider these matters with the seriousness they deserve and work toward a resolution that upholds the values of transparency, safety, and parental partnership in education.
Please understand I do respect the work of teachers and staff in the school. I am appreciative of the many challenges they face, however equally please respect my rights and responsibilities as a parent.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Yours sincerely,
[NAME WITHELD]”
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Call on In Defence of Children (contact@aww.org.au), we will help in any way we can.
2. If there is any child-on-child abuse of your child, go straight to your local police they will put you through to the child abuse support. If there is any discussion with the school, have the police present.
3. Show courage, any abuse of your child in that school, know it is unlikely that your child is the only victim, when you speak up for one you speak up for all.
4. Connect with other parents and demand your school has single sex toilets only, no unisex or gender-neutral toilets, regardless of how children ‘identify’.
Understand, that until every parent starts speaking out against this type of harm, schools and the government are not going to do anything.
"PostScript: During the VCAT hearing on this case and confirmed later from the former secretary to the Archbishop of Hobart I learnt, that the Catholic Church is no longer legally responsible for schools in Victoria. The Catholic schools have been corporatised. He also mentioned that, for this reason, many Catholic officials who are parents have chosen to homeschool their children instead.
[i] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-21/child-sex-abuse-victorian-schools-porn-consent-education-assault/104460602
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/child-on-child-sexual-assaults-increasing/104496218
https://bravehearts.org.au/research-lobbying/stats-facts/prevalance-of-child-sexual-abuse/
[ii] https://www.arnoldthomasbecker.com.au/media/hundreds-of-victorian-schools-facing-historic-child-sex-abuse-claims/9222/
https://archive.ph/Oe6LP “More than one in ten Victorian schools is now under investigation for historic sexual abuse, with more than 500 former students potentially claiming up to one billion dollars in compensation.”