Abuse Survivor Shares Story to Help Others Heal

Nicholas Taylor waited 38 years to tell his story in court, and now he's sharing his name with the world to help others find their voice.

Last year, Taylor sued the Christian Brothers over abuse he experienced as a student at Hobart's St Virgil's College in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Catholic organization that ran the school offered a settlement partway through the trial, which Taylor accepted.

"For me it was so I could take a little more power back from my abuse," Taylor said. "It played enough on my life that I wanted to try and make a difference for me and other people."

Taylor told the Supreme Court in Hobart he was sexually abused by school sports coach Stephen Randell (later jailed in 1999 for assaulting nine girls) and priest Phillip Green (who pleaded guilty in 2004). He also detailed physical abuse by other teachers at the school.

His decision to pursue justice has opened doors for others. More than 40 former students have now contacted his legal team with similar allegations, leading to a planned class action against the Christian Brothers.

The Ripple Effect

Taylor's courage is creating waves of change beyond his own healing. His law firm expects to file the class action in coming months, potentially bringing justice to dozens of survivors who suffered similar abuse.

"I know it's very difficult as a victim to come out and make statements," Taylor said. "I just hope that by me going through the process, it will give other people the strength to move forward so we can make these people accountable."

Support services like Tasmania's Laurel House emphasize that justice looks different for everyone. Some survivors want criminal convictions, others seek apologies or simply acknowledgment from loved ones.

"There's never going to be one right way that meets the needs of each victim," said Laurel House chief executive Kathryn Fordyce. The organization provides specialized counseling and advocacy support for survivors navigating legal processes.

Taylor is still working through the after-effects of his trial, focusing on building what he calls "a normal type life." But his willingness to step forward publicly has already created pathways for others to find their own version of justice and healing.

Every survivor who speaks up makes it easier for the next person to find their voice.