Child abuse probe into Vic Catholic school

Boys who lived at a regional Victorian Catholic boarding school in the 1970s and 80s say they were sexually abused.

A number of men, aged 11 to 15 at the time, have reported the allegations to Victoria Police's Sano taskforce into historical sexual abuse.

The allegations centre around St Patrick's College in Sale, in eastern Victoria.

Detective Inspector Stephen Dennis has urged anyone who went to, or worked at, the school to come forward if they knew anything.

"We suspect there may be other victims out there who have not come forward," Det Insp Dennis told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the alleged offences happened at the school.

Det Insp Dennis would not confirm the number of alleged offenders or their roles.

"There is certainly offenders who have worked at various places, various schools in the area, and that's something we're keen to explore," he said.

Det Insp Dennis said the complaint was made in the past 12 months.

When asked if the suspects were still alive, he said: "It's a live investigation."

Det Insp Dennis said childhood sexual abuse affected people in different ways.

"It is a very difficult situation for people who were victims, but we'd certainly encourage them to come forward," he said.

Detectives from the Sano taskforce will be in Sale this week to investigate.