Former Teacher Sentenced for Historic Indecent Assaults Against Young Girls

A former Ballarat primary school teacher who sexually assaulted multiple young girls in the school's photography darkroom has been sentenced to a total of three years and 11 months' imprisonment. Rex Walter Ryan, 80, pleaded guilty to nine counts of historic indecent assault against six girls between 1978 and 1980 at Redan Primary School and Wendouree West Primary School. The court previously heard victim impact statements from five of the victims, who spoke of the profound impact the assault had on their lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Rex Walter Ryan, a former Ballarat primary school teacher, was sentenced to three years and 11 months' imprisonment for nine counts of historic indecent assault against six girls.
• The assaults took place between 1978 and 1980 at Redan Primary School and Wendouree West Primary School.
• Ryan pleaded guilty to the charges and expressed remorse, stating that he was "a gentleman" and did not force the children.
• The court heard that Ryan continued to offend despite being interviewed by police and was convicted in 1983 of five counts of indecent assault involving five victims.
• Ryan was given a discount on his sentence for pleading guilty and accepting responsibility for his actions.
• The victims spoke of the profound impact the assault had on their lives, including feelings of shame, guilt, and a loss of innocence and confidence.
• Ryan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.
• Ryan's teaching career spanned nine different Ballarat schools, and he resigned from the Education Department in March 1983.
• Ryan's rationalizations for his actions included that he was a "gentleman" and did not force the children, and that his gratification was from the "beauty" of the children.
• The court heard that Ryan had no rationalization for his penis being erect while touching girls.

Statistics:

• Nine counts of historic indecent assault against six girls.
• Three years and 11 months' imprisonment.
• Two years and six months' non-parole period.
• Ryan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.
• 45 years since the first assault occurred.
• 5 convictions prior to this one, with at least 6 victims.
• 1983: 5 counts of indecent assault involving 5 victims at Black Hill Primary.
• 1993: 9 months' imprisonment for an offence in 1988 against an 8-year-old girl.

Sources:

• "You were a teacher, you were in a position of trust and power." Byline: Amy Roulston A former Ballarat primary school teacher who sexually assaulted multiple young girls in the school's photography darkroom has been sentenced in the Ballarat County Court after pleading guilty to nine counts of historic indecent assault. Rex Walter Ryan, 80, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of six girls between 1978 and 1980 at Redan Primary School (now Phoenix P-12) and Wendouree West Primary School (now Yuille Park P-8 Community College) on June 26. Yesterday, Judge Fran Dalziel sentenced the 80-year-old to a total of three years and 11 months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and six months. Ryan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life. "This case demonstrates how very serious sexual offending against children is," Judge Dalziel said. "Not only are there nine charges before me, but you have been sentenced in the past for offences against six other girls. "You justified your actions to yourself and when challenged, you called the girls liars. "You were a teacher, you were in a position of trust and power. You continued to offend even after you were interviewed by police. "It is striking that you continued to act on your pedophilic urges again and again." Ryan taught at nine different Ballarat schools throughout his teaching career. During a 2024 police interrogation, he told investigating officers "the body of a girl that age" was particularly appealing to him. "In that era of my life, who was most appealing to me were probably about eight-year-old girls in grade four ... sweet, innocent," Ryan said. He told police: "One of my rationalisations is that I'm a gentleman, I don't force ... I didn't penetrate. I never threatened anyone with 'don't tell' ... those rationalisations must have been floating to enable myself, but my gratification was that it was the most beautiful thing in the world". The court previously heard victim impact statements from five of the victims. One victim addressed Ryan directly while she conveyed to the court the profound impact the assault has continued to have on her throughout adulthood. "I was at school, I should have been safe," she wrote. "It took me more than 40 years before I could speak of what happened to me. "It was never my shame or guilt to carry, it was yours. "You have taken enough from you, you don't deserve any more of my time ... you disgust me". Another victim said she "grew up knowing I was prey and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it". "I blamed myself, I believed it was somehow all my fault...I was so little when it started," she wrote. More than one of the victims spoke of their lack of faith in adults, and the total loss of their innocence and confidence as a child. Ryan was convicted in 1983 of five counts of indecent assault involving five victims while he was employed at his final school, Black Hill Primary. In 1993, he was convicted and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for an offence in 1988 against an eight-year-old girl who was a neighbour. He resigned from the Education Department in March 1983. Ryan was given a discount on his sentence for the fact that he pleaded guilty and saved the victims from having to give evidence in what would have been a highly distressing trial. "I accept an offender acknowledging their wrongdoing ... is of some value to the victims," Judge Dalziel said. Judge Dalziel said she was persuaded Ryan would not reoffend, given there have been no sexual offences since the late 1980s. Support available If you are affected by this story, there is help available. Phone: * Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault - 5320 3933 * Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 806 292 * 1800RESPECT * Lifeline - 13 11 14 * Blue Knot Foundation - 1300 657 380 * Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467