Australian Federal Police to investigate porn sharing site

A SOUTH Australian school targeted by a vile online porn-sharing website that’s being investigated by the AFP has sent a warning to parents, offering support to students and parents.

Hundreds of explicit images of young girls have been shared online without their knowledge.

• SA schools named in repulsive online porn sharing website

A SOUTH Australian school targeted by a vile online porn-sharing website that’s being investigated by the AFP has sent a warning to parents, offering support to students and parents.

On Tuesday, we revealed young men have been using the site to target specific high schools or regions where they are phishing for nude photos, along with the full names of girls they are “hunting”.

Hundreds of individual names have appeared on “wanted” lists, including the names of sisters and entire friendship circles, and about 70 schools across the country have been targeted.

Australian police had been made aware of the site but had previously said they were powerless to shut it down, due to the fact the site is hosted overseas.

In a statement released this afternoon, the AFP said it was investigating the site, amid growing pressure to ban it.

“The Australian Federal Police is aware of the existence of a website which encourages users to upload images of a sexual nature. A number of these images allegedly depict nonconsenting and/or underage women,” the statement read.

“The AFP is currently liaising with its domestic and international law enforcement partners and relevant government agencies to evaluate this matter and to determine appropriate courses of action.”

Two South Australian schools were listed on the site — Glossop High School in the Riverland, and Thomas More College in Salisbury.

In a letter to parents today, Glossop High principal Julie Ahrens said the reports about the website were the first the school knew about the issue.

“The school had no knowledge of this prior to the report being circulated,” she said.

“Today we have spoken to our students and advised them who they can speak with if they need support or have any information they wish to share. We will immediately act on any information that indicates a student is at risk.

“Internet safety is taught through our child protection curriculum across all year levels.

“I remind parents of the importance of supervising young people when they are online and maintaining open conversation.

“Should any parents require support regarding this matter please contact our counsellors or senior leaders at either campus. Internet safety matters can also be referred to the local police.”

While the power to shut down the site may remain out of the AFP’s hands, it warned those sharing images on the site were doing so within Australia, and they could be prosecuted.

“It is important to note that creating, accessing or distributing child pornography is a serious offence, even if you are a child yourself,” the statement read.

“Child pornography offences have a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.”

SA Education Department executive director of school and preschool improvement Anne Millard said the department was supporting Glossop High and counsellors were on standby if students needed them.

“Should disciplinary action be necessary it will be taken in line with the school’s behaviour management policy,” she said.

“The sharing of inappropriate images is extremely worrying and schools take this issue very seriously.

“Cyber safety is a central element of the Keeping Safe child protection curriculum which is taught in all public schools.

“It covers respectful relationships and legal responsibilities, as well as approaches to privacy and online safety.

“Schools support students to report cybercrime incidents to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN).”

NSW Police issued a similar statement, reminding users of the site they were in fact breaking the law by sharing explicit photographs, even if they were underage.

“They should be aware they could be arrested and charged and, if convicted, will have a criminal record,” NSW Police said.

“Detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit are liaising with law enforcement colleagues in other jurisdictions and making inquiries to determine if any offences have been committed in NSW.

“Police are also working closely with the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner.

“In addition, police are liaising with the NSW Department of Education, the Association of independent Schools of NSW and Catholic Schools NSW, who will engage with parents and students who may have concerns.

“Anyone who believes their photo has been posted on the site should make a report to their local police.”

Teenage girls have been targeted on the site.

There has been an outpouring of shock since the site was exposed on news.com.au yesterday.

Once a girl’s name appears on a list on the site, other members of the group then “contribute” by posting identifying information about the intended victim, such as her full name, face, school, home address, and phone number, along with directives like “Go get her boys!”

Any “wins” (a colloquial term referring to nude photos) of the nominated target are then uploaded or offered in exchange for a trade.

Some targets are so sought after that “bounties” have been offered for any user who can post a “win”.

While many of the photos of girls posted on the site have been taken without their knowledge, the vast majority have been explicit photos shared by previous partners.

The site targets mostly high schools and teenage girls.

FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED ON THE SITE BY STATE

NSW

Blaxland High School

Colo High School

Eastview High School

Elderslie High School

Elizabeth Macarthur High School

Francis Greenway High School

Grafton High School

Greenpoint Christian College

Holsworthy High School

Ingleburn High School

John Therry Catholic High School

Lake Munmorah High School

Leumeah High School

Lisarow High School

Magdelene Catholic High School

Maitland High School

Mount Annan High NSW

Mullumbimby High School

Plumpton High School

Rutherford Technology High School

South Grafton High School

St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton

St Lukes Grammar School

St Patricks College, Campbelltown

The Jannali High School

Thomas Hassall Anglican College

Turramurra High School

Wenona

Wyong High School

QUEENSLAND

Allhallows’ School

Caloundra State High School

Cavendish Road State High School

Clontarf Beach State High School

Grace Lutheran College

Grace Lutheran College

Kirwan State High School

Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Miami State High School

Ormiston College

Redlands College

Runcorn State High School Wins

Ryan Catholic College

Sheldon College

Southern Cross Catholic College, Redcliffe

Springwood State High School

St Andrews Anglican College QLD

Woodridge State High School

VICTORIA

Bacchus Marsh Grammar School

Bairnsdale Secondary College

Bayswater Secondary College

Carrum Downs High School

Christian College Geelong- Surf Coast Campus

Frankston High school

Hillcrest Christian College

Kambrya College

Lakeside College, Pakenham

Lilydale High School

Norwood secondary college

Pakenham Secondary College

Patterson River secondary

Ringwood Secondary College

Werribee Secondary College

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Glossop High School

Thomas More College

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Canberra College

Gungahlin College

Radford College

St Clares College Canberra

St Mary MacKillop College

TASMANIA

Claremont College

Montrose Bay High School

If you have further information or would like to report concerns, contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual assault or exploitation support is available at 1800 RESPECT and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Originally published as Australian Federal Police to investigate porn sharing site