Marist Bros urge victims to come forward

The Marist Brothers are urging victims of child sexual abuse at a Victorian Catholic college to go to police.

Victoria Police have interviewed an 87-year-old man over a series of alleged sexual assaults in the 1970s and 80s.

A number of boys who were boarders at St Patrick's College in Sale have complained about assaults, which occurred when they were aged from 11 to 15.

"As we have done in the past, we will co-operate fully with any investigation into abuse of children no matter when or where it occurred," a Marist Brothers statement said on Friday.

"We also actively encourage any person with evidence of criminal behaviour to take that to the police for the appropriate investigation.

"Full investigation by the authorities of these matters is supported without reservation by the Marist Brothers Australia."

Detectives from the child exploitation investigation, Sano Taskforce, arrested and interviewed an 87-year-old Sale man on Thursday.

The man has been released pending further inquiries.

The Marist Brothers also repeated an apology to previous victims of pedophiles within their ranks.

"We take this opportunity to reiterate our enduring apology to those in our charge who have suffered past abuse and the impact of that on their lives," the statement said.