The residents of a country town where a hostel warden sexually abused boys for 14 years ignored the criminal behaviour because they were more concerned about the reputation of their community, an inquiry examining the abuse has been told.

The lawyer representing 25 alleged victims of former St Andrew's Hostel warden Dennis McKenna, John Hammond, said the Katanning community's response to the abuse was "shameful" – now and when it was occurring between 1977 and 1990.

Former Supreme Court Justice Peter Blaxell.

He called on the town to apologise to McKenna's victims.

McKenna is serving his second jail term for abusing 11 students and is facing 66 further charges.