Woman sexually abused by teacher receives additional $113,000

A woman in Tasmania who was sexually abused by her teacher as a child received an additional $113,000 from a judge after she had already been awarded more than $2 million in a legal battle.

Katrina Munting sued the state of Tasmania and her former Rose Bay High School science teacher, Marcus James Pollard, after he abused her in the late 1990s.

He was eventually sentenced to three years in prison for his crimes after pleading guilty in 2020.

Ms Munting argued in the Supreme Court of Tasmania that the abuse left her unable to perform to her full potential, and Justice David Porter ultimately accepted that the State – as Pollard’s employer – was vicariously liable.

On June 17, Judge Porter awarded Ms Munting $2,016,135 in damages, including approximately $1.38 million for her past and future loss of earnings.

The judge revised the amount to $2,129,595 on Monday after Ms Munting’s lawyers pointed out that he had incorrectly calculated the interest she was entitled to on lost income.

The then principal and representatives of the school’s higher education department were made aware of Ms Munting’s abuse in February 2000, the judge found.

Soon after, Pollard was effectively suspended and resigned in April 2000.

Tasmania Police were not notified or received any complaint until Ms Munting initiated criminal proceedings in November 2018.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Support Service for Victims of Sexual Abuse and Reparation 1800 211 028