Kristopher felt that abuse was a ‘normal’ part of the school environment
All names and identifying details have been changed.
Participants have given us permission to share their experiences.
Kristopher was educated in Catholic schools in the 1960s.
He describes a regime of physical and psychological bullying and abuse run by staff, and an older pupil who sexually abused younger boys.
Kristopher says ‘primary school was bad’, but the Catholic secondary school he attended was ‘brutal’. Staff handed out violent punishments, bullying was an everyday occurrence and he had no sense that there was anyone the children could go to for help.
An older pupil, called Luke, was the head prefect, and was given a lot of freedom by the staff. Luke was in his late teens. Kristopher says he was a bully and at times it seemed that some of the teachers were intimidated by him. When Luke was on duty, he would take some of the boys into a classroom and ask them ‘sexual questions’ about themselves.
After one of these occasions, Luke dragged Kristopher in a bathroom and blocked the door. He sexually abused Kristopher and then masturbated in front of him. Kristopher was 12 years old. He says he was very naive, but remembers feeling physically sick. Luke told Kristopher that he must not tell anyone what had happened.
A few weeks later, Kristopher was in the toilets and Luke appeared behind him and blocked his way out. He sexually abused Kristopher again. Kristopher could not see any way to make it stop, but after a while he managed to get away by saying he had to go to a lesson.
Although he did not really understand what the abuse was, he recalls that other boys were saying similar things were happening to them. He now believes that at least half the boys in his year were abused and that staff knew but ignored it.
Kristopher says that even if he had understood or had the words to describe what Luke was doing, he would not have known who to tell. He felt that there was no support or protection for the children.
He did not have any sex education at school, and believes it is important for it to be taught to children. He also emphasises how important it is for all children to have someone they can talk to who acts in their interest.
Kristopher says he has difficulties dealing with authoritarian people. He achieved a degree as a mature student and he feels proud that he has done this in spite of his past experiences.