Historical Abuse at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Oakleigh
Sacred Heart Girls’ College, located in Hughesdale, Victoria, was founded in 1957 by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Established to provide secondary education for girls in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, the school has served generations of students over the decades. While many remember their education at Sacred Heart as positive, others have come forward with serious concerns about institutional abuse and failures related to that era.
This article outlines known historical allegations associated with the wider Sacred Heart Parish in Oakleigh, particularly during the years when clergy from the parish were active in both primary and secondary Catholic education in the area. The aim is to inform, to support those who may recognise similar experiences, and to encourage survivors to seek civil redress if appropriate.
Clergy Abuse: The Case of Father Kevin O’Donnell
One of the most significant figures named in historical child abuse allegations connected to Oakleigh is Father Kevin O’Donnell. He served as the parish priest at Sacred Heart Parish, Oakleigh, from 1976 to 1992. During his time in ministry, O’Donnell was repeatedly moved between parishes despite multiple allegations of inappropriate conduct with children dating back to the 1940s.
In 1995, O’Donnell pleaded guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault involving 12 children, aged between 8 and 15. The offending spanned from 1946 to 1977, and while not all incidents occurred in Oakleigh, survivors and advocates have linked his presence at Sacred Heart Parish during the late 20th century to further harm. His long-standing presence in the parish coincided with his proximity to local Catholic schools, including Sacred Heart Primary and Sacred Heart Girls’ College.
Reports from the Foster Family
The abuse suffered by Emma and Katie Foster—two young girls who attended Sacred Heart Primary School in the late 1980s and early 1990s—became one of the most widely publicised cases involving Father O’Donnell. Both girls were abused by O’Donnell at the Oakleigh parish. The impact on their lives was devastating: Emma later died by suicide, and Katie was left with profound disabilities requiring full-time care.
Their parents, Anthony and Chrissie Foster, became outspoken advocates for the rights of survivors and for institutional reform. Their testimony and public campaigning played a significant role in raising awareness during the lead-up to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Broader Context and Institutional Responses
The allegations against Father O’Donnell are consistent with broader findings from the Royal Commission, which identified significant institutional failings in the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse complaints. In many cases, known offenders were transferred rather than removed from ministry, and complaints were not reported to police or followed up by church leadership.
Despite internal knowledge of O’Donnell’s behaviour, he remained in ministry for decades. Church records suggest that his offending was known to the Archdiocese as early as 1946, yet he was appointed to parish roles—including the Oakleigh community—well into the 1980s.
Survivors May Be Eligible for Civil Compensation
For those who attended Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Sacred Heart Primary School, or had contact with the Sacred Heart Parish in Oakleigh during the relevant period, it is important to know that legal avenues may be available. Survivors of institutional abuse have the right to pursue civil compensation claims for the harm suffered.
Civil claims can provide a path toward acknowledgement, accountability, and financial redress. They also allow survivors to retain control of the legal process, regardless of whether the offender has been criminally convicted or is still alive.
Contact Us for Free and in Confidence
If this information has prompted you to reflect on your own experience or that of someone close to you, we encourage you to consider taking the next step.
Call us on +612 9283 5599 or complete the free and confidential call-back form below. Our legal team has extensive experience in supporting survivors of institutional abuse and will handle your enquiry with care and professionalism.
