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A MAN sexually abused by a Scout master almost 50 years ago is seeking an out-of-court settlement from the South Australian Scouts Association. The $185,000 claim – the first of its type against the Scouting movement in SA – centres on alleged activities of the former master in 1958. The Scout master, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sacked when his alleged offending was discovered by two victims' parents. The matter was not reported to police and no counselling ever was offered to victims. The former Scout master, who now lives interstate, has been under investigation by the SA police pedophile taskforce since 2003. Its inquiries are continuing and the file is expected to go to the Director of Public Prosecutions shortly for consideration. Despite the Scout master's sacking and the police investigation, the Scout Association has rejected the man's claim. It has denied liability. Victim "Anthony" said yesterday he did not understand how the association could deny liability, claiming it was "well aware" of his case. "The master was booted out, sacked, when the offending was discovered," he said. "He was told to get out and nothing would be said. It makes me feel very angry. It makes me boil. "I was a vulnerable 10-year-old. "I was raped by this bastard and they don't want to know about me. "I am not the only one. The brother of another victim says he knows of three or four others." Police have tracked down several alleged victims but they are reluctant to make statements. Anthony said he still suffers as a result of the abuse, which occurred over a 12-month period after he joined the Scout group. He said "carrying the burden" was what had motivated him to contact police during a pedophile phone-in in 2003. "I suffered. It is always at the back of my mind, always. I carry this burden of guilt and I am not the guilty party," he said. Duncan Basheer Hannon lawyer Susan Litchfield said she was not surprised with the "heartless" response from the Scout Association. "It appears to be typical of other organisations we have confronted with claims and allegations, particularly when they are historical," she said. "They take a purely legalistic view. There is no consideration or compassion for the victims." Scout Association chief executive officer Dan Ryan said he was aware of Anthony's allegations and was cooperating with police. A search of association records, however, had uncovered no record of the alleged incidents, he said. "Our legal advice is in the absence of any evidence, we don't feel we are automatically at fault in this matter," Mr Ryan said. "If there is any guilt, we would expect this person to be prosecuted. "While we sympathise with the individual, these allegations need to be proven before we could consider Anthony's position further." Aselaide Advertiser (2-6-2005) Nigel Hunt |
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