The Christian Brothers are facing fresh legal action amid claims it permitted a culture of sexual abuse at a notorious Geelong orphanage.

Former ward of the state, John, not his real name, is suing the congregation alleging he was subject to vile abuse at the hands of Brother James Carey at St Augustine’s Boys’ Home in Highton in the early 1970s.

Carey, who was the home’s superior, died having never faced criminal charges.

In a statement of claim filed to the Supreme Court, John alleges the Christian Brothers were aware of widespread sexual abuse at the home but failed to take action against Carey or other pedophiles.

He claims there was a culture of abuse at the boys’ home, which a Royal Commission found had the sixth-most reports of child sexual abuse of all Catholic institutions in Australia.

Now in his 60s, John was aged 13 when he was allegedly abused by Carey over a nine-month period.

Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer Cameron Doig, who is representing John, said children should never have been placed in institutions like St Augustine’s.

“Nearly a quarter of Christian Brothers were alleged to have perpetrated child sexual abuse,” he said.

“James Luke Carey, the Superior of St Augustine’s with power over its staff and child residents, was himself a prolific abuser of children. His victims included our client.

“This has left our client with a painful legacy of trauma, substance abuse, fractured work history and broken relationships.”

Mr Doig said he encouraged anyone with information about Carey or who were abused themselves to come forward.