Experts link rise in indecent assaults at NSW schools to porn consumption

An education dossier has revealed some of the most disturbing incidents in NSW schools. Search every area of the state to see the worst incidents and where they happen most.

Indecent assaults in NSW public schools surged by 44 per cent in just 12 months because, experts say, boys are consuming pornography at younger ages and at much higher rates.

Suicide attempts among schoolchildren also jumped by almost 50 per cent from 83 in 2019 to 123 in 2020, according to the Department of Education’s register of “serious” incidents.

When it came to indecent assaults – which are assaults of a sexual nature that do not involve rape – the vast majority were student on student.

One student at a school in the Macarthur principal’s network reported being indecently assaulted while receiving a hug at a school disco. In another episode, staff in the Lithgow principal’s network reviewed CCTV to uncover numerous incidents of sexual assaults by one student.

Meanwhile in the Parramatta principal’s network, one student allegedly sexually assaulted a teacher.

 The log said: “An executive staff member reports an allegation of an employee being indecently assaulted by a student, resulting in the employee physically assaulting the student on school grounds. First aid was administered.”

Child safety expert Melinda Tankard Reist said the spike in indecent assaults was just the tip of the iceberg, adding: “Boys are learning how to treat girls from pornography. There is this overblown, supercharged idea of entitlement.

“I am hearing more stories (of students) being introduced to porn by other children, on the school bus, at the school camp,’’ Ms Reist said.

“I was dealing with girls last week telling me that boys are (committing indecent acts) openly on the school bus while watching porn. It is definitely getting worse, there is no doubt about it.”

Child psychologist Rose Cantali said the rise in attempted suicides could have been driven by lockdowns, which led to students’ mental health deteriorating.

“The things like going to school, talking to friends, they’ve been denied all that and it is going to increase suicidal thoughts,” Ms Cantali told The Daily Telegraph.

Opposition education spokeswoman Prue Car called on the government to do more for students’ mental health.

“There are not enough school counsellors in NSW, and rectifying this is one way the NSW government can address their shortcomings in supporting student mental health now,” she said.

A Department of Education said violent incidents declined in the latest reporting period because now only very serious incidents were now being captured.

“Priority 2 incidents are no longer included in the log, as they involve minor accidents or mild injuries. One example is a teacher being accidentally hit by a small piece of play dough a student was attempting to throw into the bin,” she said.

She said there were now 1240 “positions” for student counsellors.

“ We know that the factors contributing to a young person tragically taking their own life are varied and complex,” she said.

“The Department of Education works closely with key partners including NSW Health, Black Dog Institute and ‘headspace’ to improve our young people’s mental health and wellbeing.”