Perth man Dion Barber, who was repeatedly sexually abused at successive state care placements, is awarded almost $3 million in compensation by a judge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Barber, who is now in his 40s, was a ward of the state when he was abused by his stepfather.<\/p>\n
He was temporarily removed form the man’s care, then sent back to live in the same house with him, where he suffered further abuse.<\/p>\n
Other adults also abused him throughout his later years in care.<\/p>\n
Following a civil trial earlier this year, Judge Linda Black found that Mr Barber was a “credible witness”, and the instances of abuse he described did occur.<\/p>\n
She awarded Mr Barber $2,846,900<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mr Barber has filed a counter appeal. He is pictured with his lawyer Hugh Seymour. (ABC News: David Weber)<\/p>\n
Mr Barber said he was disappointed by the state’s appeal.<\/p>\n
“I spent four years during this case, and four weeks during the trial fighting to be heard,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I was finally listened to and believed by the judge.”<\/p>\n
“The judge found the department failed to look after me when I was in their care and I was abused.”<\/p>\n
Mr Barber said he had hoped the state “would finally accept some responsibility”.<\/p>\n
“I had just wanted to move on with my life and try and put this behind me,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Survivors shouldn’t be tortured like this.”<\/p>\n
Mr Barber’s legal counsel has filed a cross appeal, though the grounds are yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
State must act responsibly, premier says<\/p>\n
WA Premier Roger Cook said it was not the government’s appeal.<\/p>\n
“Obviously in these situations, we utilise an insurance arm of government, which operates independently,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They in turn engage lawyers, so it’s very much at arm’s length.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Roger Cook says he does not want Mr Barber to endure further stress. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)<\/p>\n
“What I will say is that we expect any part of government to be a model litigant, to make sure that they undertake these processes in an appropriate way and in a way which continues to make people proud of the way the government conducts themselves.<\/p>\n
“So the attorney-general is continuing to look at this particular case to make sure that we adhere to that very high standard.”<\/p>\n
Mr Cook said he did not want to see Mr Barber go through any further stress.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to see Mr Barber go through any more stress and anxiety than he’s already endured,” he said.<\/p>\n
“But I do want to make sure that we act responsibly, particularly in the interests of the WA taxpayer.”<\/p>\n
The premier said he did not think the attorney-general was in a position to instruct lawyers in this case because he was not bringing the action.<\/p>\n
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