A former teacher of a man suing the state of Western Australia over claims of “horrific sexual abuse” that occurred when he was a ward has told a court if was “horrible” to see a child come to school with bruising around his neck.
Dion Barber, 45, was about nine years old when his biological father allegedly molested him, sending him to school the following day with a “very thick scarf wrapped around his neck” to cover hickeys.
“It was ridiculous because of the weather, I suggested he take (the scarf) off because it was hot, but he didn’t want to take it off,” his teacher told the court.
“Later in the day he removed the scarf and that is when I noticed bruises on his neck which were quite alarming.
“It really stood out, I thought that wasn’t just an accident like a cricket ball to the neck, they appeared to be inflicted bruising.”
Dion Barber is suing the State of WA over claims of “horrific sexual abuse” he endured while a ward of the state. Picture: NewsWire/ Emma Kirk,
During his evidence last week, Mr Barber said it was summer and really hot when the incident occurred.
“I had to go to school wearing a skivvy, scarf and jumper because I wasn’t allowed to show anyone what he had done to me, he didn’t want anyone to see,” he said.
Mr Barber recalled how he had been reunited with his father when he was about eight years old and “did not know him from a bar of soap”.
He was sent to live with him when he was a ward of the state, telling the court he was exposed to violence, animal cruelty, nudity, alcoholism, drug use and sexual abuse while in his care.
His father was jailed for raping another child when Mr Barber was nine.
“I was scared to meet my father again because my mother always told me he was an evil man, always in jail and that I should be scared of him,” he said.
“I was told he was an evil man, I was sceptical of him.”
Dion Barber was placed back into the care of his alleged abuser while a ward of the state and was subjected to further abuse. Picture: NewsWire / Emma Kirk
Mr Barber alleges he was subjected to sexual abuse while a ward of the state in the 1980s and 90s.
He claims the now Department of Communities placed him back into the care of his stepfather after a Children’s Court found he had been molested by the man, based on probabilities.
He told the court the department forced him to attend more than a dozen counselling sessions with his abuser and mother who denied the allegations after he had been removed from their care.
He was allegedly molested by him again when he was back in their care.
Psychiatrist Felicity Sewell gave expert evidence in the trial, telling the court the family counselling did not look at Mr Barber’s trauma and needs, but was more about putting him back with the family.
She said a report from authorities at the time indicated the counselling was for the purpose of reunifying the family.
“I would not think it would have been particularly helpful for Mr Barber to be in therapy with (his perpetrator),” she said.
“If you have the perpetrator in the room, then the child might see the adults believing the perpetrator, I can’t see that would be a place of trust to engage in therapy.”
A psychiatrist has told a court a decision to place a child back with a parent where there had been a disclosure of abuse was dangerous. Picture: NewsWire / Emma Kirk
Dr Sewell told the court a decision made by authorities to place a child back with a parent where there had been a disclosure of abuse was “very dangerous.”
The psychiatrist said Mr Barber was a very vulnerable child who had been terrorised by his stepfather and was terrified of him.
“He made that clear,” she said.
“It was a very dangerous decision.
“There was that disclosure of abuse, the mother said it was unsafe to (stay) because he would find them and bash them.
“To be placed back in that environment he would have a significant stress response.”
Dr Sewell told the court in addition to the sexual abuse, Mr Barber was subjected to considerable emotional abuse by parental figures.
“It is very difficult for a child to be dependent on a parent for survival and have a parent abusing them,” she said.
“Their ability to trust another is very limited and it is very hard (for them) to trust anyone.”
The trial continues.