A man who was horrifically and repeatedly raped by a notorious pedophile at a Melbourne boarding school has received a record psychiatric injury payout.
Ben Monagle, 48, was awarded more than $1 million in damages after he was targeted four times by Father David Rapson while he was a student at Salesian College Rupertswood in 1990.
Rapson was first found guilty in 2013 of raping Mr Monagle but was convicted again in 2015 after an appeal resulted in a retrial.
In the civil suit in Victoria's Supreme Court it was argued Rapson had first raped Mr Monagle after giving him alcohol and a cigarette in his office, under the pretext of asking about his academic progress and learning disability.
Mr Monagle later received medical treatment in hospital after being raped by Rapson - his parents were never told.
His lawyer Viv Waller said the abuse resulted Mr Monagle developing PTSD, a substance abuse disorder and depression.
He encouraged other survivors to come forward, saying the compensation would him pay rent, get a car and start a small business.
"I just want to start my life," he said.
His claim against the Salesians settled shortly before it was to go to trial.
Dr Waller said that during the case the Salesians had admitted receiving reports about Rapson's improper conduct toward students including sexual abuse in 1987 and 1989, but Rapson was not removed from having contact with students and police were not notified.
She said the settlement funds would be managed by the Victoria's Supreme Court, allowing Mr Monagle to focus on getting treatment for a methamphetamine addiction that began as a result of the abuse.
The settlement includes $700,000 for general damages for pain and suffering and $300,000 for future medical treatment, aggravated and exemplary damages.
Dr Waller said the general damages figure was the most ever for psychiatric injury in Victoria.
