A former Queensland Australian of the Year and reality show cast member is suing an elite private school over alleged sexual abuse by a teacher.
Sunshine Coast resident Rachel Downie is suing the Rockhampton Grammar School for at least $5 million in compensation.
Her statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse during private lessons as a 14-year-old and the school failed to appropriately address her reporting of it, causing significant ongoing injuries, loss and damage.
She alleged that, after she reported the abuse, she was locked in the school’s sick bay for three days, dosed with sleeping tablets and was unable to contact friends and family.
Ms Downie’s claim also alleged that the teacher was dismissed a day after she reported the abuse but was relocated to another grammar school in the state.
Ms Downie is a child protection advocate who received the 2020 Queensland Australian of the Year for developing Stymie, an online resource for students to anonymously report bullying, depression, self-harm or family violence.
She was also a contestant in the Australian Survivor TV series in 2021.
Now in her 50s, Ms Downie called for greater awareness and action to protect vulnerable children.
“It has taken me a long time to reach this point where I can share my story and take action about what happened,” she said.
“I’ve grappled with overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt and a fear of being judged, blamed or dismissed.
“I also carry the guilt of not speaking up earlier … (but) I’m sharing my story now as it’s never too late to speak out.
“Institutions do need to be held accountable and it is integral to healing this harm and rebuilding my self-worth.”
Rockhampton Grammar School headmaster Phillip Moulds said the school was taking the allegation “seriously”.
“The Rockhampton Grammar School strongly condemns abuse in any form and takes any allegation of abuse, past or present, extremely seriously,” he said.
“We appreciate that this process is deeply distressing for the former student, and we support their decision to come forward.
“The school is guided by its commitment to enriching the lives of young people in a safe environment.
“The school joined the National Redress Scheme in 2020 to enable any incidents of abuse to come to light, and to help survivors of abuse be acknowledged, supported and seek redress.”
