Scott Volkers allegations: Royal commission hears of alleged abuse by former Olympic swimming coach
The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse is hearing evidence from an alleged victim of former national swimming coach Scott Volkers.
Charges that were laid against Mr Volkers, a former Olympic coach, were dramatically dropped in 2002 after he had been committed to stand trial in Queensland.
The hearing is examining how Swimming Australia, Queensland swimming associations and public prosecutors responded to the allegations of abuse.
Julie Gilbert, Kylie Rogers and Simone Boyce each allege they were abused between the ages of 12 and 14 while swimming in Mr Volkers' training squad in the 1980s and 1990s.
Ms Gilbert told the commission she was disappointed the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had accepted untested witness statements in its decision to drop the charges after Mr Volkers had been committed to stand trial
"I felt that this interaction with the DPP was a process of re-victimisation," she said.
"Instead of supporting me, I felt the DPP placed blame on me by questioning my credibility and character."
Victim tells of eating disorder, quitting competitive swimming
Ms Gilbert was one of three former pupils of Mr Volkers who were part of the initial case.
She told the hearing how she stopped competitive swimming after the abuse, effectively ending a promising career, and that she developed an eating disorder.
She said she felt abandoned by the swimming community.
"At no time has anyone from any Australian or Queensland swimming organisation called me to talk about Scott Volkers' sexual abuse of me," she said.
"Because of this, I feel that they decided to side with him, rather than with me, as the victim."
Ms Gilbert also told the commission she was subjected to negative media coverage.
"In these comments I was accused of making allegations against Scott Volkers that unfairly affected him," she said.
"These comments would also say things like 'mud sticks', that victims should pay Scott Volkers' legal costs and that we were unsuccessful swimmers who had 'chips on our shoulders' because we were not successful, as if we were inventing the allegations out of spite."
Volkers had applications to work with children rejected
The commission also heard that Mr Volkers had two applications for a blue card - which is needed for working with children - rejected.
But he was still employed by the national body and Swimming Queensland until 2010.
He then moved to Brazil, where he is still working as a coach. He has consistently denied the allegations against him.
The commission is also investigating responses to claims of abuse against two other coaches, Terry Buck and Steve Roser.
A victim of Roser, who was convicted of indecent assault while at the Scone Swimming Club in the NSW Hunter Valley, told the hearing: "The abuse committed against me by Stephen Roser occurred during swimming training sessions in the pool, and also in the clubhouse beneath the pool grandstand."
The hearing continues.
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