Call for Witnesses

A growing body of evidence is revealing what appears to be a pattern of institutional child sexual abuse in Wagga Wagga during the 1980s and 1990s. Public records, media investigations, and civil proceedings point to disturbing allegations involving religious schools and state-run juvenile justice facilities, where children in care were subjected to abuse by those in positions of authority.

These events, though decades old, are now being re-examined under a modern legal framework that allows survivors to seek justice, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

St Michael’s Regional High School: Allegations of Abuse by a Teacher

One institution now subject to renewed scrutiny is St Michael’s Regional High School, a Catholic boys’ school that operated in Wagga Wagga until its closure in 2003. The school was originally run by the Christian Brothers before coming under the control of the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga in 1996.

In recent years, multiple survivors have come forward alleging that they were sexually abused at the school by a male teacher. Two men aged in their 40s and 50s have stated publicly that they were abused during their first year at the school, in 1984 and 1999, respectively.

A call for witnesses was issued in this Region Riverina report, which outlined the survivors’ experiences and the timeframe involved. The article does not name the alleged perpetrator but confirms that the abuse occurred while the students were in Year 7, and that the teacher in question was male and taught at the school during both periods.

Christopher Frost: Criminal Charges Over Alleged Abuse in the Same Era

Separately, in September 2021, former Wagga Wagga teacher Christopher Frost, then aged 74, was charged by NSW Police with nine counts of historical child sexual abuse. The offences were alleged to have occurred between 1984 and 1990, involving three boys aged between 14 and 16 at the time.

The charges included indecent assault and sexual intercourse with a person under 16. While official court records do not publicly name the school, the timeframe and location overlap closely with the period in which one of the survivors from St Michael’s alleges abuse.

More details on Frost’s arrest and charges are available via Mirage News and Kelso Lawyers’ public report.

Allegations at the Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre

Abuse in Wagga Wagga was not limited to the education system. Separate allegations have been made against a senior superintendent at the Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre, a state-run facility that operated in the region from the early 1980s.

According to a detailed report by Region Riverina, survivors claim that the superintendent sexually abused boys while in detention and while transporting them to external programs. The individual in question has since died, but efforts are ongoing to gather witness testimony to support potential civil proceedings.

The facility, previously known as the Riverina Youth Development Centre, was one of several regional juvenile justice centres that housed vulnerable boys from across New South Wales. Further historical context is available via Find & Connect.

Brother Jeffrey (Michael Stanton): A Broader Christian Brothers Context

While not directly linked to the Wagga Wagga allegations, it is worth noting that Michael Stanton, also known as Brother Jeffrey, taught at St Michael’s Regional High School in the late 1970s, prior to his conviction for child sexual abuse at other institutions in NSW in the early 1980s.

His history is relevant to understanding the broader failures of oversight within religious orders such as the Christian Brothers, who transferred clergy between schools without informing parents or authorities of past misconduct. More information about his convictions can be found via Moody Law.

Your Right to Justice — No Matter How Long Ago the Abuse Occurred

In New South Wales, survivors of child sexual abuse are no longer restricted by time limits when pursuing civil claims. This means that people who experienced abuse in the 1980s, 1990s or earlier may still bring legal action against the institution responsible.

Legal claims can result in:

• Financial compensation
• Formal recognition of harm
• Accountability for institutions and individuals

Survivors may also be eligible for the National Redress Scheme, although this process involves capped payments and may not be the best path for every claimant. Civil litigation may offer broader, higher outcomes, including apology, accountability, and the ability to tell your story on your terms.

We’re Here to Listen Confidentially and Without Obligation

At Koffels Solicitors & Barristers, we have acted for survivors of institutional abuse across New South Wales and understand how difficult it is to come forward. We also recognise that, for many survivors, justice is not just about compensation — it’s about being heard, believed, and acknowledged.

Call us confidentially on +61 2 9283 5599
or
Complete the free and confidential callback form below

All conversations are private and without obligation. Even if you’re not ready to pursue a claim, your experience may help others — and help bring accountability to the institutions that failed to protect children.