Ruby Rose has opened up about her late father and the devastating years of abuse he suffered growing up in countless orphanages and boys’ homes.
The Australian actress’ heartfelt comments came after she revealed her father, Peter, had passed away just days before Christmas.
‘RIP daddy. You’re leaving me. Only. With so many complex emotions,” she wrote in a caption shared to her Instagram Stories.
The 38-year-old shared photos of her late father with her followers at Christmas as she described the difficult relationship they shared over the past year.
“RIP and Merry Christmas Dad,” Rose wrote.
‘I’m glad we reconnected a few years ago, not because you had changed so much, not because it brought me so much joy, it was actually very difficult. You know that.
‘You were very difficult. I interrupted you twice in that time lol. Once for a year. But our last emails were right before you died. I had a friendly email and I’m happy about that.’
Rose revealed that her father had endured a tumultuous childhood and had been abused at St Augustine’s Boys’ Orphanage and in the homes of other boys in Melbourne.
Ruby Rose has revealed that her father, who died just two days before Christmas, was abused as a child in orphanages and boys’ homes
Rose did not reveal the cause of her father Peter’s (pictured) death, but hinted that the couple had a difficult relationship
She also condemned former Christian brother William Houston, who is currently behind bars after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two boys at St. Augustine’s.
“It was very difficult for me to hear what happened to you as a child,” she wrote.
“What happened to all your brothers and sisters at the hands of St. Augustine’s and other orphanages and boys’ homes in Melbourne. Brother Houston, I hope you rot in jail.”
In 2021, Houston was sentenced to seven years in prison for buggery and three charges of indecent assault for abusing two boys, who were part of the state, in their beds when he was a dormitory supervisor at St Augustine’s in Highton in the 1960s.
The 86-year-old was already serving a prison sentence after being found guilty in 2016 of abusing six other boys at the orphanage in the 1960s.
Rose did not reveal her father’s cause of death, but did hint at their troubled relationship.
She explained that knowing about her father’s abuse helped her understand him better, but did not excuse the suffering she endured at his hands.
“None of this undoes the abuse I have suffered over time, but it has helped me understand you,” Rose wrote.
“Trying to understand you was loving you. RIP Dad, I’m so sorry no one protected you. I’m really sorry that life wasn’t so much more.
‘I’m really devastated. You’re probably impressed by how sad I am. if you can see me.”
Rose explained that knowing about her father’s abuse helped her understand him better, but did not excuse the abuse she suffered at his hands (photo, Ruby and her father)
Rose ended her post by stating that she had forgiven her father, despite him never apologizing for the abuse she faced.
‘I don’t think you ever really said sorry. Not really. You didn’t know where to start, but I forgave you. And I still do,” she wrote.
The former video jockey grew up in country Victoria on a farm with her mother Katia and racehorse breeder father Peter.
Her parents separated when Rose was just a year old and she grew up as a ‘gypsy boy’, ‘moving around a lot’ between Churchill, Gippsland, Surfers Paradise and Melbourne.
Social media followers praised Rose for the emotional post, with many wishing her strength as she moves toward forgiveness.
‘Thank you for having the vulnerability to share this. It’s hard to understand when we’re adults and our parents don’t change. Your approach is inspiring, thank you,” one person wrote.
‘Damn. This is rough. Breaking that cycle is the most impactful thing you can do,” said a second.
A third added: ‘Sorry for what you’ve been through, I could only imagine how painful it was. Nothing can take away the pain, but I hope you have found some peace and forgiveness, both for Dad and for yourself.”