Brother William Beninati (Brother Vales)

Brother William Beninati (whose real name was William Raymond Beninati) was a member of the Marist Brothers who went by the religious name of Brother Vales. William Beninati was born on 30 April 1928 and began training as a Marist Brother in New South Wales in January 1946 at the age of 17.

Brother Vales taught/served at the following schools/institutions in Queensland and New South Wales:

It has been reported that allegations of sexual abuse were made to NSW Police in relation to Brother Vales time at St Joseph’s College in Sydney. In particular one victim reported to the Royal Commission that he was groomed, drugged and sexually abused by Brother "Vales" at St Joseph’s College, Hunter's Hill, between 1966 and 1969. Further reporting online indicates that the Marist Brothers had received complaints about Brother Vales from at least the early 1990s. In May, 2003 Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) advised the Marist Brothers that it would not cover any claims involving Brother Vales because the Order had not reported prior complaints about him.

Brother Vales was charged by NSW Police in the 1990s and was involved together with Brother Oswald McNamara in an out of court settlement for the sexual abuse of a student at St Joseph’s. He was further investigated by NSW Police in relation to other victims coming forth to NSW Police but no further action was taken due to the failing health of Brother Vales who died in 2013 at the age of 85.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against members of the Marist Brothers at various schools and institutions around Australia.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

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