New students at St Mark’s College subject to degrading, sexually abusive hazing, student tells 60 Minutes

NEWCOMERS at a residential college in Adelaide were subjected to degrading initiation rituals, a student who left after Orientation Week claims.

NEWCOMERS at a residential college in North Adelaide were subjected to degrading initiation rituals, a student who left after Orientation Week claims.

And she says nothing was done when she reported it to staff at St Mark’s College.

The college is now investigating the claims and has vowed to commission an independent review into its O-Week practices and policies.

Aria Kirwan, 18, says she was instructed to massage senior male students, made to take part in sexually explicit acts and force-fed food spat on by older students.

“It was very orchestrated to be that very happy kind of community in front of the parents, but as soon as they were gone it started to turn into something very different,” she told 60 Minutes.

“They had porn playing on the TVs and guys that were butt naked. You’re expected to have sex in public places … on the (college) master’s desk or in the library.

Student Aria Kirwan has made allegations of hazing and degrading acts at St Mark's College. Picture: 9 Network

“It made me upset that that was the environment that they were portraying. It was just completely just in contrast to what I thought college was like and just pointed out a really dark culture that I wasn’t okay with.”

Ms Kirwan said her complaints to college authorities fell on deaf ears.

“She said that she was going to have a conversation with the people involved but there was nothing about ‘I’ll make sure that’s never going to happen again’ or ‘ I’m so sorry you had to see that. Are you okay?’,” she said.

“I think she just thinks it’s normal.”

Ms Kirwan said one student who refused to participate was then made to walk around the college with a dead fish around his neck.

St Mark’s council chairman Richard Burchnall said denied assertions that there was a toxic culture at the college.

“The story follows an approach to the College last week by a producer from 60 Minutes requesting an interview with the college but declining to provide any specific details of the allegations despite numerous requests, denying us the ability to provide a full and considered response,” he said.

“The College then also made unsuccessful efforts to contact Aria’s family to obtain a detailed

understanding of the allegations and to ensure that Aria and her family were properly supported.

“Unfortunately, the College learned about many of the allegations made on 60 Minutes for the first time by watching the program.”

Mr Burchnall said the college would take action in response to the allegations.

“The College is extremely concerned about the serious nature of the allegations and will launch an internal investigation to check their veracity and will take appropriate action, if and when necessary,” he said.

“The college will also commission an independent review of its O-Week policies and practices.”

Mr Burchnall also denied assertions in the story that Ms Kirwan’s concerns were not taken seriously when she spoke to college authorities.

“This is strongly denied — bearing in mind that what she told them was quite different to what she asserts on air, the college staff made it clear to her they did believe her; discussed her concerns and how they would be addressed and also telephoned her mother on two occasions also to discuss Aria’s concerns and to assure her that Aria was safe and looked after,” he said.

“The College is committed to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of residents, visitors and staff, adopts a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour, and supports a culture of reporting.”

Another new student took to Facebook to rubbish Ms Kirwan’s claims, saying there was a “deep-rooted culture of respect at the college and that is reflected in the way the O-Week was carried out”.

He wrote that “nobody was pressuring anyone to do anything, least of all encouraging sexual acts”, and male and female students were “equally shocked to see the college dragged through the mud”.

St Mark’s is open to Adelaide, UniSA and Flinders students.