***Distressing content warning***

John gave evidence about the abuse he experienced during the two years he was at a Catholic intermediate school in the early 1980s, run by the Marist Brothers, and his experiences in trying to get redress from the Catholic Church. The abuser, who sexually groomed then raped John, was Principal of the school. John outlined the effects the abuse had on his opportunities for education and employment, his relationships, and his mental health. He described how he has sought redress using the processes provided by the Catholic Church and the frustrations he has experienced. John questioned the Marist Brothers’ understanding of how re-traumatising it has been for him to go through the Church’s redress process. He addressed the need for better support from the Church and an independent redress process.