A “small number of students” have been expelled from a Gold Coast private school after engaging in “”online behaviour involving offensive and inappropriate comments about female students”.
Emmanuel College in Carrara was made aware of the issue a fortnight ago and has taken action against the students. Students from at least two other local schools were also involved.
Queensland Police confirmed the incident was reported on October 22 and said detectives had engaged with the schools to undertake “preliminary inquiries”.
“This behaviour was not consistent with our values as a caring, Christian community that places a high priority on safety and respect,” Emmanuel College said in a statement.
“As a result of our investigation, a small number of students are no longer enrolled at Emmanuel College.”
The school said that other students in the year 10 cohort, as well as students in the school’s broader community, have been offered support, counselling and pastoral care, with parents and guardians also advised of the situation.
Emmanuel College said the incident prompted them to strengthen their efforts to educate students about appropriate behaviour.
“It is disheartening that this behaviour still occurs in our society, and we are appalled that a small minority of boys consider it acceptable to view girls in this way,” the school said.
“At Emmanuel College, we are committed to fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and support.”
Better education needed to address concerning behaviour
Dr Silke Meyer is a Professor of Social Work at Griffith University and says it isn’t the first time the offensive behaviour has been seen at Australian schools this year.
In June, a Queensland teenager was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence after a social media post ranking female students into disturbing categories was revealed.
Meyer says it’s a problem that emphasised a need for early education on gender, relationships and pornography.
I think it’s highly concerning,” she says.
“This is young men that are dehumanising young women and treating them as sexual objects.”
Support is available:
National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
