Father Damian Barker

Father Damian Barker (died May 1998) was a member of the Carmelite Fathers who served as a chaplain and parish priest in Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales.

During his ministry he served at:

• Parish of Port Melbourne/Middle Park, Victoria

• Christian Brothers College (CBC) Fremantle, Western Australia (Junior School Chaplain, approximately 1983–1985)

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Hilton, Western Australia

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel College, Sunbury, Victoria

• St Killian's Parish, Bendigo, Victoria (Parish Priest)

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville, New South Wales (Parish Priest)

Abuse Allegations

Father Barker has been the subject of numerous historical allegations of child sexual abuse arising from his ministry at Christian Brothers College Fremantle, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hilton, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel College in Sunbury.

Multiple former students have alleged that Barker groomed and sexually abused children while serving as a school chaplain. Civil legal proceedings have since been commenced against the Carmelite Fathers and the Christian Brothers by former students who allege they were abused while Barker served at CBC Fremantle.

Some reports have suggested there may have been dozens of victims, although the precise number has never been officially confirmed.

Christian Brothers College Fremantle

Many of the allegations relate to Barker's appointment as Junior School Chaplain at Christian Brothers College (CBC) Fremantle between 1983 and 1985.

Former students have alleged that Barker established a lockable confessional room within the primary school where abuse occurred during confession. Others have described a pattern of grooming behaviour, including inappropriate physical contact, kissing students, and cultivating unusually close relationships with particular families.

Several former students have also recalled long-standing rumours regarding Barker's behaviour during his time at the school. While some did not report being personally abused, they described conduct that, in hindsight, they considered inappropriate and concerning.

Travis Adams' Civil Action

In 2022, former CBC Fremantle student Travis Adams publicly alleged that Barker repeatedly sexually abused him while he attended the school.

Mr Adams alleges the abuse occurred during private confessions in a lockable room within the primary school and later at a school camp. According to his account, he disclosed the abuse to his mother after the alleged assault at camp, following which he was withdrawn from the school.

Mr Adams has since commenced civil proceedings against both the Carmelite Fathers (Victoria) and the Christian Brothers, alleging they failed to protect him from abuse.

His allegations were widely reported by Australian media, including the ABC and The West Australian.

Other Former Students Speak Out

Following the publicity surrounding Mr Adams' case, additional former students came forward describing Barker's behaviour during the 1980s.

Former students have reported:

• witnessing Barker kiss boys on the mouth;

• inappropriate physical contact with students;

• grooming behaviour towards certain children and families;

• concerns regarding Barker's heavy alcohol use; and

• incidents at school camps that reportedly caused concern among other staff members.

Some former students stated they deliberately avoided Barker during confession because of his reputation for excessive physical affection.

School Response

Following the publication of the allegations, CBC Fremantle Principal Dominic Burgio wrote to former students acknowledging the seriousness of the claims.

The College stated that child safety is now its highest priority and encouraged anyone with information about historical abuse to report it to police or the appropriate authorities. The school also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting survivors and to preventing abuse from occurring again.

CBC Fremantle, now governed by Edmund Rice Education Australia, has also publicly acknowledged the abuse suffered by former students in Christian Brothers schools. The College has installed a permanent memorial featuring an apology to survivors and victims of institutional child sexual abuse.

Legacy

Father Damian Barker died in May 1998.

His ministry has since become the subject of multiple historical abuse allegations and civil litigation. The allegations have contributed to broader public scrutiny of institutional responses to child sexual abuse within both the Carmelite Fathers and Christian Brothers organisations.