A Melbourne, Australia, man received a $3.7m settlement from the Catholic Church over historical sexual abuse claims

Robert Friscic, a Melbourne man with an intellectual disability, has secured a $3.7 million settlement from the Catholic Church for historical sexual abuse by a priest. The settlement, offered by the Archdiocese of Melbourne, marks the highest award for an historical abuse matter, according to his legal representatives.

Friscic alleges that Father Anthony Bongiorno, a local priest, sexually abused him in the 1980s. He ran away from home in 1981 and sought refuge in the Brunswick churchyard, where he claims the priest invited him into his bedroom and began washing him, a situation he did not understand as inappropriate.

Social workers, including Roni Nettleton, who managed the boarding house where Friscic lived, noticed warning signs of abuse. Nettleton confronted the priest about Friscic’s frequent absences at night. Bongiorno dismissed her concerns, suggesting he was providing a father figure for the boy.

Nettleton also attempted to raise the issue with Archbishop Frank Little, but she felt uncertain about the outcome. Little expressed doubts about the allegations, questioning whether Friscic was fabricating the claims.

Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon, who later testified in Bongiorno’s criminal trial for indecent assault and sexual penetration of three boys in 1996, supported Friscic’s case. Solomon’s involvement in the criminal proceedings provided additional credibility to the abuse allegations.

The case highlights the long-term impact of historical sexual abuse and the challenges faced by victims in seeking justice. It also underscores the importance of accountability and the need for institutions to address misconduct promptly and transparently.

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