Former primary school students sexually abused by a pedophile teacher who liked to walk around the school grounds with a guide dog puppy are taking legal action against the department responsible for transferring him to different schools.
The Victorian Department of Education could face millions in damages after being sued by at least five abuse survivors over the shocking treatment they received at the hands of Arthur Henry Eaton, a abc investigation reported.
Eaton was a popular teacher with a career spanning 35 years and was known for often bringing a guide dog puppy to the playground.
In 1996, Eaton was found guilty of 25 counts of indecently assaulting nine children, who were aged between eight and 12 at the time.
The offenses took place at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School in Frankston South.
He was given a suspended sentence and 300 hours of unpaid community work.
Following an appeal, Eaton was sentenced to two years in prison and would serve a minimum sentence of 12 months.
Eaton’s convictions related to the sexual abuse of eight boys from Derinya and one from Warrnambool West who had raised their abuse with school officials in May 1992.
After allegations against Eaton surfaced, the department responded by transferring him to two different schools.
The ABC reports that Eaton was a popular teacher with a 35-year career known for walking around the school grounds with a guide dog puppy.
A statement from the Victorian Department of Education said “it would be inappropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the process”.
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Eaton was due to receive the ‘Victorian Teacher of the Year’ award at the time of his arrest.
Eaton was transferred to Belvedere Park Primary School in Seaford in 1992, and then to Derinya Primary School, where he worked from January 1993 until he was arrested in March 1996.
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Eaton was due to receive the “Victorian Teacher of the Year” award at the time of his arrest.
A former Victorian Department of Education staff told ABC Investigations in 1996 that the department knowingly moved Eaton around the state.
They said the department also allowed him to resign rather than be fired, all while he was under police investigation.
This allowed Eaton not to lose its licenses or economic rights after its 36-year career.
Personal injury law firm Arnold Thomas confirmed to the broadcaster that civil claims have been filed against the Victorian Department of Education on behalf of four former Derinya students as well as the Warrnambool West survivor.
Georgia Sneddon, the lawyer representing the men, said Eaton’s move to Derinya Primary School had caused “immeasurable harm” to former pupils, and this had led to more students being exposed to abuse.
“This practice of moving teachers was more concerned with the reputation and well-being of the teachers, the schools and the department than with the students,” Ms Sneddon said.
The Victorian Department of Education issued a statement in response to questions from ABC Investigations, confirming it had received complaints from abuse survivors.
‘These allegations relate to abuse that occurred between 1991 and 1996, when Eaton worked at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School. “We are not aware of any allegations made against Eaton before May 1992,” the statement read.
“Given that civil legal action is currently underway in relation to Eaton, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the process.”