How this photo of primary school teacher Arthur Henry Eaton with a guide dog puppy hid his disturbing secret
Former primary school pupils who were sexually abused by a pedophile teacher who liked to walk around the school grounds with a guide dog puppy in hand are taking legal action against the department responsible for transferring him to different schools.
The Victorian Department of Education could face millions in damages after being sued by at least five abuse survivors over their shocking treatment by Arthur Henry Eaton, a ABC research reported.
Eaton was a popular teacher with a career spanning 35 years who was known for often taking a guide dog puppy to the playground.
In 1996, Eaton was convicted of 25 charges of indecently assaulting nine boys, aged between eight and 12 at the time.
The offenses took place at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School in Frankston South.
He was given a suspended sentence and 300 hours of unpaid community work.
After appeal, Eaton was given a prison sentence of two years with a minimum of twelve months.
Eaton’s convictions related to the sexual abuse of eight boys from Derinya and one from Warrnambool West, who raised his abuse with school officials in May 1992.
After the allegations were made against Eaton, the department responded by moving him to two different schools.
According to ABC, Eaton was a popular teacher with a 35-year career who was known for walking around the school grounds with a guide dog puppy
A statement from the Victorian Department of Education said: “It would be inappropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the proceedings.”
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Eaton would be named ‘Victorian Teacher of the Year’ at the time of his arrest
Eaton was transferred to Belvedere Park Primary School in Seaford in 1992 and then to Derinya Primary School, where he worked from January 1993 until he was arrested in March 1996.
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Eaton would be named ‘Victorian Teacher of the Year’ at the time of his arrest.
Former Victorian Department of Education staff told ABC Investigations in 1996 that the department knowingly distributed Eaton throughout the state.
They said the department also allowed him to resign rather than be fired while police investigated.
This prevented Eaton from losing his leave and financial rights after his 36-year career.
Personal injury law firm Arnold Thomas confirmed to the broadcaster that civil claims have been filed against the Victorian Department of Education on behalf of four former Derinya students, as well as the Warrnambool West survivor.
Georgia Sneddon, the barrister acting for the men, said ‘immeasurable harm’ had been caused to the former students by Eaton’s transfer to Derinya Primary and this had resulted in more students being exposed to abuse.
“This practice of relocating teachers was more concerned about the reputation and well-being of the teachers, the schools and the department than the students,” Ms Sneddon said.
The Victorian Department of Education released a statement in response to questions from ABC Investigations, confirming it had received the abuse survivors’ claims.
“These allegations relate to abuse between 1991 and 1996, when Eaton worked at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School. We are not aware of any allegations made against Eaton prior to May 1992,” the statement said.
“Given that civil legal action relating to Eaton is currently underway, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the proceedings.”
