Record $8m compensation for victim of paedophile teacher at infamous Victorian public school

In a landmark development, a former student of Beaumaris Primary School, which gained notoriety due to incidents of sexual abuse, is poised to receive an unprecedented $8 million settlement from the education department. This payout marks the largest known compensation awarded by a state government to a sexual abuse survivor in Australia. There are suggestions that the state may be accountable for further compensation.

The abuse was perpetrated in the early 1970s by Darrell Ray, one of four documented predators employed at the Melbourne school during the 1960s and 1970s. Michael Magazanik, a partner at Rightside Legal representing the survivor, disclosed that the civil claim was nearing its moment in the Supreme Court when the education department chose to settle.

“This $8 million settlement, along with legal costs, is unprecedented in Australia,” Magazanik explained. “No Australian court has granted an abuse survivor this amount, and no government has ever settled or received a verdict for a higher figure.”

When asked for comment on the settlement, Victoria’s Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn, redirected questions to Education Minister Ben Carroll, whose office has yet to respond.

Magazanik recounted that Ray, who faced a slew of new charges before his death in November, had previously been prosecuted in the 1990s and early 2000s. He admitted guilt to 27 counts of indecent assault against 18 boys under 16 and served three and a half years in prison.

The survivor had previously received a “small amount” from an earlier civil case but was able to seek additional compensation roughly 18 months ago thanks to new legislation. “This case represents the culmination of a 50-year struggle,” Magazanik said. “The man has faced profound and lasting consequences.”

The survivor has been living in poverty and grappling with mental health challenges, but this compensation will enable him to secure improved housing and care in his twilight years. He did not contribute evidence at a government inquiry into the sexual abuse of students at Beaumaris and 23 other schools due to ongoing legal matters.

The inquiry’s final report, released in March, criticized the education department for its inadequate policies and failure to adequately protect children from sexual abuse. Magazanik described Beaumaris Primary as a “black hole” and a “complete disaster,” insisting that the government failed to take action regarding the presence of multiple predators. “None of this would have happened if the government had taken its responsibilities even slightly seriously,” he remarked.

Magazanik shared that his firm is also representing other abuse survivors within the public school system, including former students of Beaumaris. It is worth noting that victims of institutional child sexual abuse who utilize the national redress scheme are unable to pursue legal compensation through the courts.

In response to the findings of the inquiry, Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to delivering a formal apology in Parliament in 2026 to victims of historical sexual abuse within Victoria’s public schools. This apology will follow a truth-telling process to hear from all victims of abuse in government schools before the year 2000. Additionally, a public memorial will be established to honor the victims from Beaumaris, along with a restorative engagement program.

For those in need of support, resources include the Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 and Bravehearts at 1800 272 831 for children and young adults, while adult survivors can contact the Blue Knot Foundation at 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support at 0800 1111 for children, and adults can reach out to 0808 800 5000 for concerns regarding a child. In the US, the Childhelp abuse hotline is available at 800-422-4453, with additional assistance from Child Helplines International.