Brisbane high school student set for representative council promotion despite alleged sex assault

A Brisbane high school student is set to be promoted to a leadership position despite being accused of sexually assaulting female schoolmates.

Victims have spoken out over the decision to promote a student accused of a sexual assault into a leadership position.

A Brisbane state high school is set to promote a student within its representative council despite him being reported for alleged sexual assault in a decision which has left its victims outraged.

Students at the popular school spoke to The Courier Mail claiming the boy repeatedly attempted to grab at them after an assembly in 2019.

One victim said the boy sat among a group of girls when he began reaching for their genitalia and chests as they yelled at him to stop and attempted to move away.

“He then started trying to touch us; I remember he tried to put his hand up my skirt which was when my friend slapped it away,” she said.

Her friend said he only stopped when one of them punched him in the face before the accused continued to follow her around the school for two days.

“She tried her best to avoid him but having gotten overwhelmed by all of this she tried to punch him again before running off and going to her next class,” her friend said.

A Brisbane high school is set to promote a student accused of a sexual assault on schoolmates.

She “broke down” during class before her and other victims disclosed their claims to the principal and were interviewed before the incident was reported to the Education Department.

One of the victims said her family was told that the boy had been talked to and that she would receive a formal apology which never eventuated.

It is understood he has since been elected to the Student Representative Council for this year before being promoted for 2023.

The victims described their disappointment at the promotion which is contradictory to the Department of Education’s assurance that the school was committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment.

The Department said that representatives in student leadership positions are elected through voting by staff and students.

While they cannot comment on individual cases, they said all Queensland state schools prioritise safety with any allegations taken seriously and staff complied with mandatory reporting obligations.

“The school in question is committed to … delivering respectful relationships education that promotes gender equality and respect.”

“The school has high expectations that students behave and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the school’s values of support, respect and happiness.”

They added the school has accessed resources and professional development through the department’s Respect program to provide comprehensive and age-appropriate consent education.