Tara wins compensation after enduring physical abuse at a navy training base. Due to the serious historical navy abuse, she came to our firm for legal representation.
Tara suffered horrific physical abuse while she was a minor at the navy training base. Senior apprentices repeatedly assaulted her, causing emotional and physical trauma. After a long legal battle, Tara’s case was successfully settled in her favour, bringing much-needed closure.
Read our other successful Historical Sexual Abuse Case Studies.
Historical navy abuse
Tara attended the navy training base as a young apprentice. Over time, senior apprentices physically abused her, taking advantage of their positions of authority. Tara endured violent incidents that caused significant harm. With legal support, Tara pursued an intentional tort case. Ultimately, our civil solicitors secured a favourable settlement on her behalf.
Suing state for navy abuse
In the early 1970s, Tara joined the navy training school for young apprentices. From the outset, senior apprentices held power over their juniors. They enforced authority with physical abuse. Tara experienced several violent encounters during her time at the facility.
One such incident happened at a train station near the base. Senior apprentices approached Tara and, after a verbal exchange, they attacked her with closed fists. Tara fell to the ground, where they hit and kicked her until she lost consciousness. Paramedics rushed her to the base’s sickbay. Here, they treated her for severe bruising, a fractured eye socket, and other injuries.
Suing for abuse at training camp
This wasn’t an isolated case. Throughout her time, Tara was repeatedly abused by older apprentices. A common practice involved “bed-rolling.” They flipped her bed in the middle of the night. This caused her to crash onto the floor. As a result, they caused Tara physical and emotional trauma.
Despite the hostile environment and culture of silence at the base, Tara eventually sought justice. She filed a claim against the Commonwealth of Australia. She argued that the Navy was responsible for the actions of the apprentices. Our legal team pursued an intentional tort case for assault and battery. We held the perpetrators accountable.
Navy Abuse: The Outcome
After extensive negotiations and legal proceedings, Tara’s case reached a settlement during an Informal Settlement Conference (ISC). The settlement recognized her physical and emotional trauma.
If you or someone you know has faced similar experiences of abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. Enquire online or call O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors on (02) 9261 4281, or email . We can also set up a free appointment with our civil lawyers in our Sydney office.
*We changed the client’s details to protect their privacy.
