Six victims of paedophile teacher Anthony LeClerc in the 1980s will share in a $5.32 million settlement reached with the Tasmanian Government, which a lawyer hopes creates a "binding precedent" for similar claims.
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The individual settlements range from $620,000 to $1.4 million, which is believed to be the highest amount in Tasmania to date for a historical child abuse claim.
Lawyer Angela Sdrinis made the group claim on behalf of the six victims, and the settlement avoids the need for a trial following a series of Supreme Court mediations last week.
She said the settlements gave the victims "certainty and closure", and although some were urged to continue their claims, they had hoped to avoid going to trial.
"Their stories began in 1980 when they were in primary school and sexually assaulted by LeClerc who has been identified as a prolific abuser who over a long period of time, for reasons which are unfathomable, was protected by the Department of Education," Ms Sdrinis said.
The matter was made possible by the abolition of limitation periods and other legal amendments which meant LeClerc claimants could pursue the department in court.
LeClerc was jailed for six years in 2014 for the abuse of 14 children.
An inquiry into the Education Department's historic handling of sexual abuse allegations - released earlier this month - detailed a series of failures to adequately respond to allegations about LeClerc.
Concerns and complaints were raised about his conduct as the principal of Grassy Primary School on King Island by 1983, and although he made "relevant admissions" to police, he was transferred to Nixon Street Primary School in Devonport.
Police were of the belief the Education Department would be "taking action" against LeClerc and chose not to prosecute him, while the department sought to "hose down" rumours about him.
He was then transferred to Miandetta Primary School against the wishes of the school's principal, then to Ulverstone Primary School and Burnie High School, before being given a position at the department's regional office in Burnie.
He was lastly transferred to Hobart Technical College in 1988 and accepted a redundancy in 1996.
The independent investigation into the department - which has been provided to the Commission of Inquiry - included a range of instances when further allegations regarding LeClerc were not acted upon.
The government initially refused to publicly release the report, then only released the recommendations which did not include specific allegations about LeClerc. The full report was then released as part of a media Right to Information request.
The Tasmanian government has fully accepted and commenced the implementation of all 21 of the independent inquiry's recommendations.
Commission of Inquiry an opportunity for justice
Ms Sdrinis said the Commission of Inquiry was an opportunity for victims of historic child sex abuse in Tasmanian schools, hospitals and youth justice facilities to have their voices heard.
"We know that survivors of child sex abuse are often left with significant trust issues and given the revelations in the media about past government inaction and cover ups, many survivors feel cynical about the Commission's work and hold the belief that the COI is just another delaying tactic on the part of the Government to avoid responsibility," she said.
"However, these recent settlements show that the Tasmanian Government is being brought to account and acknowledging its responsibilities.
"We are supportive of the COI's work and whilst we would have hoped for wider terms of reference, this is an opportunity to work together so that Tasmanian children today will not face the same risk as the risks faced by our clients in the LeClerc matters.
"We hope that in combination with the COI's important work, and the Tasmanian Government being brought to account through litigation in the common law courts, there will finally be lasting change."
- Sexual Assault Support Service: 1800 697 877
- Respect helpline: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
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