Ex-headmaster in stand for abuse hearing

A former Hobart school headmaster who investigated reports of student sexual abuse will give evidence at a royal commission.

John Bendall was the principal at elite boys' school Hutchins in the early 1990s when reports were received from men claiming to have been groomed and sexually assaulted while students at the school in the 1960s.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has been told that while Dr Bendall found at least three staff members had "an unhealthy interest in boys" in the 1960s, the school board refused to acknowledge the claims of abuse or issue an apology.

Due to ill health, Dr Bendall will give evidence via video feed before commissioner Andrew Murray.

Add a Comment