The man who blew the whistle on horrific claims of sexual abuse at an exclusive Bathurst high school has broken his silence, describing how victims were attacked.
Police are investigating claims that up to 60 students at the school were hypnotised and sexually assaulted at St Stanislaus in the 1970s and 80s.
One victim, John, has told Philip Clark they were lured in by the offenders.
"They used chanting to get us off to sleep and they may have, although I'm not sure, but they may have also used drugs."
Superintendent Mick Goodwin says it's an emotional time for the victims.
“I’d imagine it would be very hard for anyone that was subject to these sorts of things to come forward,” he said during a media conference this morning.
“All I can say is that the NSW Police Force will be providing every form of support we possibly can to make the process for them as trouble-free as possible.”
Earlier
As many as 40 former students of an exclusive catholic school in central west NSW have accused their teachers of raping them.
St Stanislaus' College in Bathurst has a reputation for sporting excellence, but that has been marred by allegations of a paedophile ring operating in the school for almost a decade, during the 1980s.
One of the 40 students has spoken out about the alleged abuse, telling News limited, boys were hoarded into prayer rooms, hypnotised and raped.
They were said to have been forced into horrendous acts with the priest and each other.
The school is working with detectives, with Principal John Edwards saying the claims are a grave concern.
“I’m most concerned that any allegations of sexual misconduct towards children, be examined thoroughly, comprehensively, and where appropriate brought before the courts for appropriate action…”
At least two former teachers are being investigated – a former priest has already been charged with 33 offences relating to sexual assault and gross acts of indecency against children aged 10 to 18 years.
The 65-year-old former priest, who now lives in Sydney, worked at the school in the 1980s and was arrested in May.
He's already faced court and is due to return to Bathurst Local Court on September 15.