By a Broken Rites researcher

• Article posted 27 December 2012

A former Catholic priest, David Edwin Rapson, is facing a trial in Melbourne in 2013, charged with sex offences, allegedly committed against seven boys between 1973 and 1990.

Father Rapson (born 30 July 1953) was a priest in the Salesians of Don Bosco religious order. Father Rapson was a teacher and former vice-principal at Salesian College "Rupertswood", at Sunbury in Melbourne's outer north-west. The school's staff then included a number of priests and religious brothers.

Rapson appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court in November 2012, charged with one count of rape, five counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecently assaulting a child under 16, and one count of gross indecency. The boys were aged in their early to mid-teens at the time of the abuse.

The court heard statements from several former pupils.

One ex-pupil stated that, during his second week at the school, he was told that Rapson would perform a medical inspection of the boys' bodies. During this (he alleged) Rapson molested this complainant's genitals.

Another ex-pupil stated that he went to speak to Rapson about problems he was having with his father, who was ill. The ex-pupil stated that Rapson gave him scotch whisky and they chatted, before the priest molested him.

Another ex-pupil stated that he was given a drink by Rapson that made him feel dizzy and he later woke up to find himself being raped.

Another ex-pupil stated that he was given a "Milo" drink that tasted "a bit strong and quite acrid" before he was molested by Rapson.

The court was told that detectives from the Victoria Police Sexual Crimes Squad are continuing to investigate child sex abuse claims involving priests and religious brothers, other than Rapson, at the same school.

Sexual Crimes Squad Detective Senior Constable Leigh Ross told the court that police initially began to investigate one suspect who had been at the school between 1980-81 but the inquiry had since broadened to encompass 1960-1990.

Police were using "Rupertswood" year books to contact former students about possible physical and sexual abuse at the school.

Magistrate Greg McNamara found there was sufficient evidence to convict David Rapson, and ordered him to stand trial in the County Court.(in 2013). Rapson was released on bail pending his trial.