Former Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick has won a settlement against two religious orders over alleged institutional abuse, just days before the case was due to start in the Supreme court.
He took action against the Christian Brothers and Vincentian Fathers, after being abused by two priests at separate schools in Victoria in the 1970s.
Mr McKiterick came forward with the allegations four years ago, but the writ was filed in the court in 2022.
The settlement is worth $550,000, although the orders have not admitted liability for the abuse against Mr McKiterick, according to a report in the Geelonder Advertiser.
The former policeman told the paper he hoped his outcome would give other survivors the confidence to come forward.