Former student awarded $600,000 payout after abuse by teacher at Warrnambool North Tech

The Warrnambool North Technical School student lodged a Supreme Court writ against the state government claiming he was sexually abused by a teacher in the 1980s.

It's understood other victims are in the process of taking action against the state government for abuse involving the same teacher.

The victim said he felt numb after the recent settlement.

"To be honest, I don't feel anything," he said.

"I don't have any desire to spend money or really need anything. That wasn't the objective.

"There was no fist-pump, no celebration. There was an offer of an apology but I take acknowledgement out of the settlement.

"This occurred and it shouldn't have. I take comfort from the settlement, that others dropped the ball even when I raised this with authorities, I was labelled a troublemaker."

The man said he had no doubt people knew the teacher was engaging in improper conduct.

"Action should have been taken. My complaint was dismissed as 'he's a good bloke, he doesn't mean anything by it'," he said.

"I just hope that doesn't happen now and the next pedophile teacher doesn't get the opportunity to abuse a child.

"I've suppressed this for many years and I hope by coming forward it emboldens others to do the same.

"No sex assault victim should be embarrassed or ashamed. It's not your fault.

"I was told to shut my mouth. To stop being a troublemaker, but now I see that I'm not an inconvenience - the wrong thing was done and I hope that now it could not happen again."

He said being a sex assault victim had been in the back of his mind for many years and destroyed parts of his life.

"I have very few real friends. I don't lead a normal life. For a while my life and career dreams fell by the wayside," he said.

"I've never told anyone after making those initial complaints.

"Perhaps now is the time to get some professional counselling. To rip off the Band-Aid and squeeze out the puss.

"I've had a crippling self doubt and a lack of belief, even though I have done well professionally.

"This hopefully draws a line under that part of my life. The fear was that people would know and judge me.

"Now if someone did find out I hope I don't feel ashamed.

"Other victims' lives have been impacted far worse than me. I just hope this settlement might encourage someone else to come forward, to seek help and rip off the Band-Aid."

Related: Ex-student takes action claiming sexual abuse by teacher

Arnold Thomas & Becker Lawyers' Georgia Sneddon claimed the teacher's abuse was an open secret at Warrnambool North Technical School during the 1980s.

"Despite this, it is alleged in the court proceeding that the school did nothing to stop his abuse of innocent children," she said.

"To our client's great credit, despite the trauma he endured, he has been able to go on to enjoy a successful career.

"The State of Victoria, on behalf of Warrnambool North Technical School, offered an apology to our client. Our client indicated that we would refuse such an apology so it was not made."

Ms Sneddon said her firm was currently representing other clients who were abused by the same teacher and in the near future would initiate legal proceedings.

"We anticipate that there are many others who have experienced similar abuse," she said.

"In recent years many of the difficulties of bringing cases of historic sexual abuse have been removed through legislative changes. This means victims of childhood sexual abuse are now more able to seek the compensation that they deserve."