Seeking Justice for Survivors of Abuse at Blackfriars Priory School

Decades after abuse occurred at Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide, survivors are finally being heard.

Blackfriars Priory School, a Dominican Catholic boys’ school in Adelaide, has been linked to a series of sexual and physical abuse cases spanning multiple decades.

The earliest known offender was Father Albert Davis, who taught at the school in the 1950s. Reports of abuse surfaced only decades later when other cases prompted further investigation. Davis was eventually charged with multiple counts of indecent assault but passed away in 2007 before standing trial.

In later decades, lay teachers Stephen Stockdale-Hall and Ronald Hopkins were both convicted of serious child sexual abuse crimes.

Their abuse spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.

Some offences occurred during school activities; others took place off campus during camps or at private homes.

In more recent times there have been allegations regarding Joseph Weygood and Father Martin Wallace.

These men preyed on vulnerable students, often isolating them and grooming them under the guise of mentorship or religious instruction.

Like many institutions during this era, Blackfriars Priory School initially attempted to contain the fallout. When Ronald Hopkins was accused in 1991, he resigned and fled the state.

Only years later, following a police investigation, did his full history come to light.

The school even hired a PR firm to manage public communications and later launched a hotline for past students to come forward.

The exposure of Hopkins and Stockdale-Hall helped shed light on previously hidden abuse by Father Davis, leading to formal charges before his death.

Since 2016 there have been changes to various laws either by Parliament or the High Court that make people coming forward more likely to succeed and obtain substantial compensation.

In South Australia and under Australian law, survivors of child sexual or physical abuse in institutions like schools, churches or care homes have legal rights to pursue compensation.

Even if the abuse happened decades ago.

And even if:

• The perpetrator has died
• You reported it once and were dismissed
• You received a settlement years ago under outdated laws

From 2022, legislative changes in South Australia permit people who have previously settled claims to apply to the Court to set aside their previous deed of settlement and allow them to negotiate or litigate again, unless they have accepted a payment from the National Redress Scheme.

If you are a survivor of institutional abuse, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical or psychological treatment costs (including lifelong care)
• Loss of earnings
• Out-of-pocket expenses

In some cases, settlements may reach hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, depending on the severity of abuse and the impact on your life.

The National Redress Scheme (NRS) was set up by the Australian Government to compensate survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

Blackfriars Priory School is one of the participating institutions.

The compensation you can claim is limited and the current wait time is lengthy, recently being advised as an average of 2 years. If you contact us we will advise you whether you are better off with the National Redress Scheme or negotiating with Blackfriars directly. There is no cost for having that discussion.

We understand how difficult it is to come forward, especially after many years.

Our team is experienced in handling institutional abuse cases with sensitivity and confidentiality.

We assist survivors in:

• Accessing and reviewing school or church records
• Working with trauma-informed medical professionals
• Preparing a strong, evidence-based claim
• Navigating compensation through out-of-court settlements or court proceedings if necessary.

We also review previous settlements that may now be eligible for further compensation due to legal changes.

There is no time limit for bringing forward a claim for child sexual or serious physical abuse in South Australia.

If you attended Blackfriars Priory School, or any other institution where abuse occurred, it’s never too late to seek justice.

We offer free and confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and next steps.

Who This Is For: Former students of Blackfriars Priory School, particularly those who experienced serious physical or sexual abuse by individuals such as Stephen Stockdale-Hall, Ronald Hopkins, Joseph Weygood, Father Albert Davis, and Father Martin Wallace.

What Happened: Multiple reports of abuse by teachers, priests, and volunteers have emerged. Some perpetrators have been convicted, and others have been named in recent claims. Abuse occurred both on school grounds and during religious retreats.

Where the Abuse Occurred: At Blackfriars Priory School in South Australia, and in other settings connected to the school, such as retreats and religious events.

Timeframes & Legal Changes: Abuse occurred over multiple decades. Key legal changes include the 2016 High Court ruling strengthening institutional liability and the 2022 South Australian law allowing survivors to reopen previously settled claims. There are no time limits to report or claim (except where the National Redress Scheme has already made a payment).

Why You Can Act Now: Legal reforms now give survivors more power to seek compensation, even if they settled previously. Recent court cases show significant compensation is possible in civil lawsuits for sexual assault, including a $550,000 award in a 2025 South Australian case.

Your Next Steps: Contact our team for a confidential consultation. We offer no win, no fee for eligible claims. Reach out by phone at (08) 7093 2998 or email info@mkflawyers.com.au to discuss your options.