School sex abuse findings delayed

Tag: australia

THE release of findings from an investigation into the alleged cover up of sex abuse at a Catholic school has been delayed until next week.

An inquiry into claims a Toowoomba principal ignored a nine-year-old girl?s accusations that a teacher had molested her was due to be completed yesterday.

Seven months in the making, it will now be presented to the bishop early next week.


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A spokesman said senior lawyers were involved in the Catholic Education inquiry.

"Resulting actions will need to be considered with great care to help ensure something like this never happens again," he said.

"Once Bishop William Morris has thoroughly reviewed the results and any recommendations, and decided what action to take, this will be communicated as appropriate."

The bishop is also in discussions with the Non State Schools Accreditation Board about a second inquiry.

The board is yet to finalise its investigation, which started in February.

Both inquiries followed claims a school principal did not report a pedophile teacher whom a nine-year-old girl had accused of molesting her in September, 2007.

That 60-year-old teacher was arrested 14 months later on 12 counts of rape and 34 counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12.

He is expected to plead guilty later this year.

The school?s principal has been charged with failing to report the sexual abuse of a person under 18 years.

He was suspended on full pay when cover-up allegations surfaced.

A police investigation began that same month after a request from Education Department officials.

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/...s-delayed/