Boys from Knox Grammar roared with approval when their headmaster touched a young girl who was taking part in a school musical , an inquiry has heard . Lucy Perry , who now heads an international women 's health charity , told the child abuse royal commission she was indecently assaulted by the elite Sydney boys school 's former headmaster Ian Paterson in 1989 when she was 15 . Ms Perry , chief executive of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia ( Australia ) , said the assault happened in full view of students at the Knox school hall and the boys who saw it 'roared with approval ' . Scroll down for video . Former Roseville College student Lucy Perry gave evidence on Monday to the royal commission into child sex abuse . The CEO was surprised by the reaction she caused inside the inquiry , with victims standing up and applauding her as she left . She reported the assault to NSW police in 2009 when allegations about sexual abuse at Knox were emerging . Ms Perry 's school , Roseville College , and Knox Grammar had been jointly staging the musical 'Guys and Dolls ' . During one rehearsal , Dr Paterson , who the show 's producer , singled her out , the commission heard on Monday . As she walked to the edge of the stage 'he placed his hand on my backside ' . Ms Perry , who heads Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia , told the commission former headmaster Ian Paterson groped her . ' I would describe it as between a pat and a grope , ' Ms Perry told the commission . 'He then slid his hand right down to cup my buttocks and [ I ] felt him touch my genitals outside of my clothing . ' Ms Perry continued : ' I was humiliated in front of the boys and I heard the boys cheering . ' I was disgusted with Paterson 's behaviour and thought he was demonstrating to the Knox boys that it was perfectly acceptable , even admirable , to be disrespectful to girls . ' The now 41-year-old , who was in her teens at the time of the 1989 incident , said students cheered when he touched her bottom and genitals . Ms Perry , now 41 , was not interested in pressing charges against Dr Paterson but changed her mind in 2009 . ' I wanted to let police know that I was happy to provide a statement if it was going to be useful to demonstrate the culture of disrespect engendered by the school and to highlight the environment and attitudes fostered by the headmaster , ' she said . Dr Paterson 's solicitor Jim Harrowell asked her if the headmaster was just positioning her on the stage . ' I would suggest to you Mr Harrowell that positioning girls by their bottoms is not the best way to do that , ' she said . The chief executive was applauded by Knox victims and their supporters as she left the hearing in Sydney . Ms Perry was applauded by Knox victims and their supporters as she left the hearing in Sydney . Later she tweeted : ' I did not expect a standing ovation when I walked out of the Royal Commission today . Survivors are much braver than me . ' Earlier on Monday , David Lloyd , counsel assisting the commission , said there was no evidence to support an allegation made during evidence on Friday that the Uniting Church 's former moderator James Mein and solicitor Rob Wannan , who was the former chair of the Knox council , were involved in the destruction of sensitive documents . Mr Lloyd does not intend to recommend a finding they were involved . The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse inquiry into Knox continues on Tuesday . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Lucy Perry , 41 , gave testimony at inquiry commission into child sex abuse . She told commission former headmaster Ian Paterson groped her in 1989 . # ##worth was in musical with Knox Grammar School students at the inquiry . She said she allegedly touched her ' genitals outside of my house ' Ms Perry was given a standing apology as she walked out of the inquiry .