Family of former pupil sues St John's College for alleged mishandling of sexual assault claims
Juliano Mordoh's parents are suing the school for more than R61 million for allegedly mishandling claims of sexual assault.
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JOHANNESBURG - A legal battle will play out over the coming months between the family of a former pupil and St John's College.
Juliano Mordoh's parents are suing the school for more than R61 million for allegedly mishandling claims of sexual assault.
Mordoh died by suicide in 2022 following the alleged abuse which, his parents claim, was not reported by the school.
The court papers, seen by EWN, lay bare the suffering endured by the victim for years after the alleged abuse had happened.
It all started after a ten-year-old Juliano was encouraged to join the rock climbing team.
There, the papers say, he was repeatedly sexually groomed, assaulted and molested by the coach.
It is alleged that most of the abuse happened on school grounds.
Mordoh's parents say the sexual violence left him so scarred that he suffered severe depression and other mental health challenges.
He then took his life while receiving treatment in a hospital in 2022, at age 20.
Mordoh's family believes St John's College failed in its duty to care for the former pupil and investigate the actions against the teacher who allegedly sexually abused their son.