Call for witnesses: York Public School, South Penrith
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers is seeking to hear from anyone who attended or worked at York Public School in South Penrith, New South Wales, in or around 1984.
We act for a former student who alleges he was sexually abused by a teacher, Ms Harvey, while he was in kindergarten and Year 1. The abuse is alleged to have taken place during school lunch hours, in a demountable building on the school grounds.
Who we would like to hear from
We would like to hear from anyone who:
- experienced or witnessed any form of abuse at York Public School in or around 1984
- has knowledge of incidents involving Ms Harvey
- was in Ms Harvey’s kindergarten or Year 1 classes, or taught at the school at that time
- has class photographs, school records, or other documents from that period
Even small details may help. You don’t need to be certain that what you know is important, and you don’t need to have experienced abuse yourself to come forward.
How to contact us
If you can assist, please call 02 9283 5599 and ask for Amber Smith or email AmberSmith@koffels.com.au. You can also use the form below.
All information is treated confidentially. Contacting us does not commit you to anything, and you can share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
If you experienced abuse at the school
If you were abused as a child at a NSW school, you may be entitled to compensation. NSW has removed time limits for civil child sexual abuse claims, so in most cases it is not too late to act, although individual circumstances still matter. Read more about limitation periods for historical institutional abuse claims.
A civil claim is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including the impact on your health, career, and relationships, and is not capped. Virtually all claims settle before hearing, and confidentiality is standard. Learn more about institutional abuse compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have been abused to come forward?
No. We want to hear from anyone who attended or worked at York Public School in or around 1984, including former classmates, teachers, and parents. Small details can help establish timelines and identify patterns.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Any information you provide is treated confidentially and handled by our legal team. Contacting us does not commit you to giving evidence or taking any further step.
Is it too late to make a claim for abuse that happened in the 1980s?
In most cases, no. NSW has removed time limits for civil claims for child sexual abuse, although individual circumstances still matter. Call us on 02 9283 5599 for confidential advice on your situation.
Should I apply to the National Redress Scheme instead?
For most survivors with a viable civil claim, a civil claim is the better path. The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, average payments for serious abuse are around $80,000, and many are significantly lower. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so we strongly recommend getting independent legal advice before applying. Read our review of the National Redress Scheme.
This page does not make findings against York Public School, Ms Harvey, or any other person. The matters described are allegations only. This page provides general information to help former students, staff, and families understand how they can assist with an ongoing investigation and what options may be available to them.
