Emmanuel College has unveiled a plaque in its remembrance garden recognising student sex assault victims, some of who have taken their own lives.
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Principal Peter Morgan said the Warrnambool school traditionally remembered members of its community who had passed away, such as recent student Crystal Lee Johnson, who died in January after a long illness.
He said as well as the plaque for Ms Johnson during this year's annual service, there was a second plaque for student victims of sex abuse.
"The message on the plaque remembering former students who were victims of abuse reads, 'Emmanuel College remembers the students who were the innocent victims of abuse during their formative school years," he said.
"We acknowledge the damage to their young lives and the lasting impact on their futures.
"We especially remember those who were impacted so profoundly they ended their lives prematurely. RIP'."
Mr Morgan said the memorial garden was established after the deaths of a number of former students on the way to the Dunkeld races.
In 2011, five young people travelling to the Dunkeld races on Blackwood-Dunkeld Road died after their station wagon collided with a truck.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old Terang man, also died at the scene.
"That was the catalyst for the memorial garden and the annual service," Mr Morgan said.
"We remember members of our school community who have passed away; students, teachers, staff and their families.
"This year we are also recognising anyone who was a victim of abuse while they were at school, some who have subsequently taken their own life.
"We also acknowledge and recognise those people, some who are unknown victims."
Mr Morgan said the installation of the victim plaque was an extension of sexual abuse recognition made by the college last year.
"The actions we have taken have been received well, the message has been very supportive within the school," he said.
"The issue of sex abuse has been far too long ignored or swept under the carpet.
"As a place of learning, this is part of learning that is happening for us all."
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