Oz school house mistress says she gave sex education to abused boys

MELBOURNE - A school house mistress accused of sexually assaulting boys aged 11 and 12 rationalised her behaviour as providing sex education, a Sydney judge has been told.

The 41-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to 32 charges of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated indecency on the grounds of mental health, reports News.com.au.

However, psychiatrist professor David Greenberg said that while the 41-year-old woman had “lots and lots of personality difficulties” he believed she knew her actions were wrong.

He was giving evidence for the crown in the NSW District Court yesterday at the woman’s trial, which is being heard by Judge Anthony Garling without a jury.

The offences involve 18 counts of sexual intercourse, and three indecency offences during 2009.

The six victims were aged 11 and 12 and attended the NSW school where the woman worked as a house mistress.

The offences occurred at sites including the school sick bay, in the woman’s flat and on camping trips.

On one trip, she went into the tent of five youngsters and had a “conversation with the boys in relation to sexual positions, history and locations she favoured”.

One victim later said the woman had pressured five boys when she was naked in their tent, saying: “Come on, let’s go, don’t be a puss”, and he had “felt like a wimp” until he agreed to oral sex.

On Tuesday, a psychiatrist called by the defence opined the woman had a bipolar disorder and lacked control over her impulses at the time.

The woman tried to rationalise, justify and minimise her behaviour, including by saying she had been providing sex education. (ANI)