Our client, Ron*, wanted to sue the state for the army abuse he suffered during his time at an army training school.

The plaintiff, a child during this matter, was a student at an army apprentice school. The defendant was the army training school in question.

Furthermore, the school was a residential institution and training school for boys from the age of 14. Our lawyer found that the defendant’s actions were intentional acts done with the intent to cause injury to our client. Ultimately, their actions were excluded from the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW).

The staff at the school gave a lot of their power to apprentices in their second or third year. These students supervised the first years.

Client suffered army abuse at training school 

In the 70s, Ron joined the school with the goal of becoming a vehicle mechanic. Shortly after, students told him about how older apprentices had power. Additionally, they told him that they called younger apprentices ‘Sprogs’. Not long after his arrival, senior apprentices entered Ron’s room late one night.

One student woke Ron up by flipping over his bed. As a result, Ron fell on the floor, his bedframe hitting him in the process. That student also threw Ron’s stuff around the room. This continued to happen.

Another night, senior apprentices ordered Ron and other young students to hang from the rooms’ rafters. They then punched the younger boys. On another occasion, senior apprentices struck Ron with a boot-filled laundry bag. This happened on multiple occasions. One time, Ron jumped out of a window with other students to avoid a beating from older apprentices.

Senior apprentices carry out devastating army abuse 

Ron also suffered more physical abuse when senior apprentices held irons against his body. Ron did not know if the iron was hot or cold. However, the effect of this act was that Ron thought they were burning him. Other incidents included forcing Ron to get into his locker.

They also sexually abused Ron, causing significant pain and mental distress. Ron told another junior apprentice that he was too embarrassed to go see the female doctor about his injury.

The defendant in this case owed a duty of care to Ron as a minor. Moreover, they encouraged a dangerous environment with a toxic hierarchy. This situation made senior apprentices feel like they could do anything they wanted. Furthermore, they also encouraged and adopted a culture of not reporting incidents.

Lawyer for historic army abuse at training school 

The physical and sexual assaults were continuous and traumatic.

As a result of the above matters, Ron suffered significant loss and damage. Additionally, he also suffered physical pain and discomfort. Therefore, he sued for assault and battery.

Civil Lawyer for Suing state for historic physical and sexual abuse 

The court found in favour of our client. He was compensated fairly for the pain and trauma he experienced.  Speak to our civil lawyers in Sydney today.