Christian Brothers College students sent Loreto College girls footage of boy’s private sex act

STUDENTS at a prestigious Adelaide private school have been circulating footage of a boy secretly filmed performing a private sex act.

Young man with hands clasped together

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STUDENTS at a prestigious Adelaide private school have been sharing footage of a boy secretly filmed performing a private sex act, prompting police to attend the 138-year-old college.

The footage, which allegedly shows a Year 8 student at another Adelaide high school, was sent by Christian Brothers College students to Loreto College students via a social media group chat.

It is understood the boy was not aware that he was being filmed by other students while masturbating in a toilet.

After The Advertiser broke the story on Wednesday afternoon, Loreto College sent a letter to parents saying five of its students had been sent the “unsolicited” video, but those that viewed it deleted the footage and reported the incident to their school.

SA Police confirmed it was made aware of an incident involving the sharing of inappropriate material between students, but said the matter did not involve any criminal offending.

The student’s private parts were reportedly not visible in the footage.

CBC has refused to elaborate on any disciplinary action taken against their students for sharing the footage.

Sources have told The Advertiser several parents are “livid” and have accused the college of “covering up” the incident.

At least one parent is considering withdrawing their child from the school, where fees range from about $5000 in reception to almost $9000 in Year 12, due its alleged lack of appropriate disciplinary action in handling the matter.

Staff at CBC became aware of the footage and police attended the school shortly afterwards to offer advice on how to deal with the incident.

It is understood the school attended by the student in the footage was unaware the recording had been circulated until contacted by CBC.

CBC acting principal Shaun Clarke confirmed its students had been investigated over the incident but would not specify what disciplinary measures had been taken.

“This incident has been fully investigated and all appropriate follow-up has occurred — including reports to relevant authorities, counselling and disciplinary action,” he said.

“The school has comprehensive cyber safety policies and education programs in place, in line with the Keeping Safe child protection curriculum.”

Christian Brothers College says it reported the incident to SA Police and the students involved were given counselling and disciplinary action.

In response to The Advertiser’s article, Loreto executive principal Dr Sylvia Walton wrote a letter to parents saying the college’s students had behaved appropriately.

“A group of five Loreto students were the unwilling recipients of an unsolicited video sent via a social media group chat on a Saturday in February when they were not on school grounds,” it reads.

“We understand the video was opened by two of the students but upon identification of its content they behaved responsibly and immediately deleted the footage.”

Dr Walton said the students immediately reported the incident to the college.

“None of the Loreto girls shared the video with anybody else. We are proud of how our girls were mature and respectful of each other and everybody else in the situation.”

A SAPOL spokeswoman said police were made aware of inappropriate material being circulated between students, and had provided advice to the school.

“The matter that was referred to police did not involve any criminal offending,” she said.

“SAPOL reinforces the need for parents to be vigilant in respect to their child’s online behaviour and engagement, particularly with individuals not known to them.

“It is an offence to possess, disseminate or distribute any material that features the exploitation of a child.

“The distribution or dissemination of child exploitation material causes further trauma and re-victimises the child.”

The details have emerged as another prestigious Adelaide school, St Peter’s College, admitted a “serious incident” at a school camp involving a knife last week had been referred to police.

SAPOL said it encouraged anyone with information of any person involved in child exploitation material to contact police.

Confidential counselling for children and teenagers experiencing personal problems is available at Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800