Elite schoolboys suspended after racist, misogynistic group chat revealed

Vile child abuse material, racist and homophobic videos and misogynistic rants posted in a secret group set up by students at Sydney’s exclusive Knox Grammar have been handed to police.

Students at one of Sydney’s most elite private schools set up a chat room where vile child abuse material, racist and homophobic videos and rantings on violent misogyny were posted.

Knox Grammar – which costs up to $35,000 a year, per child – has suspended some students and others have left as part of a major investigation in which they have also spoken to police.

Called Gang Gang, the group on messaging app Discord involved students from Knox along with former students and friends who were invited into the closed chat room.

From anonymous accounts with names such as Ni**er Removal Service and Fa**othater3000, the users swapped and discussed content so graphic that much of it cannot be published.

One user wrote “I hate fems I hate gays, jews, people who don’t play fortnite, furries, ni**ers, I love titties, feet abortion, rape, drugs …”

Some posts appeared considered, others were barely coherent.
“Silly ‘pro choices’ think womens rights matter … I only hate children And wish for them to die Take them out at the source,” one wrote.

Knox Grammar is one of Sydney’s most elite private schools. Picture: Tim Hunter

Another posted: “I’m a maniacal potential pedophile who rapes babies for a living”, and another wrote “why was I not invited to the gang rape party”.

There are a number of anti-Semitic and racist references, including “Hitler is always stay in my heart”.

Passages of discussion devoted to abortion quickly became abhorrent.

“No dude if I get a girl pregnant And I wore a condom I’m reaching my hand in her stomach,” one user wrote. What followed was too offensive to publish.

‘DEEPLY DISTURBING’ MATERIAL HANDED TO POLICE

The Daily Telegraph has given the material to Child Abuse and Sex Crimes unit of NSW Police

One of the most disturbing videos is that of a young male who appears to be under 18, being brutalised while there are other videos of young men who appear to be being raped. There are constant comments about wanting to rape children and wanting to be a paedophile.

The group appears to have been active for around two years. It is understood the page was brought to the attention of the school in July and was disbanded by early August.

Psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said the content was deeply disturbing.

“Some of the posts are obviously racist, misogynistic, homophobic,” Mr Watson-Munro said.

“What is very troubling is there appears to be some organisation in the way they communicate and it gives off a feeling of a club or even a cult.

Dr Tim Watson-Munro says how the school now handles the issue will be critical. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“Obviously there is an aspect of, perhaps, teenage boys trying to outdo each other by trying to post the most outrageous comments. But there is also some very dangerous aspects to this behaviour.

“Constant talk and exposure to these themes can lead to desensitisation. If someone is a bit unhinged in this group it could cause them to act out in reality some of the violent themes which have been spoken about in the posts.”

‘HAS TO BE ZERO TOLERANCE’

Mr Watson-Munro said how the school chose to handle the issue now, would be critical.

“There is a history of these organisations, especially some of the more high profile private schools, of trying to protect their reputation rather than addressing the problem,’’ he said.

“There has to be a zero tolerance to this type of behaviour and counselling for those exposed in any of these type of situations.’’

A letter from Knox Grammar Headmaster, Scott James. Picture: Supplied

Mr Watson-Munro said the power of social media and chat rooms and their influence on young people presented major challenges for schools and society broadly.

“Parents do have to be aware of what their children are accessing on their computers and schools have to also be proactive in how they police and educate their charges,” he said.

“It’s very different to what any previous generation has seen in regards to exposure of pornography, violence and other anti-social behaviour.’’

A letter from Knox headmaster Scott James was provided to The Telegraph after it raised questions with the school over the chat group today.

The Telegraph contacted Knox at 3.30pm. The school sent the letter at 5.29pm. The letter has also gone to parents.

“I am writing to inform you about action the school has taken following an incident involving several boys from the Senior school,” the letter reads.

“The boys posted inappropriate images and engaged in offensive commentary in an online private chatroom.

“The nature of these posts is contrary to the values and culture of Knox and is unacceptable. The actions of these boys do not reflect a Knox education or the expectations that we place on our students to be respectful and responsible citizens in the community.”

As the school day began on Thursday, while many parents of students at Knox Grammar school had received an email from the principal alerting them to the chat group, some only found out as they arrived at the school.

Julia, whose son attends the school had no idea of the group’s existence until drop off.

She was shocked to learn of the behaviour of the students involved.

“I’m very surprised,” she said.

“The culture is not like that. It’s a good school and to my knowledge does very well.”

Jerry, a student at the school said that he and his father were very shocked to hear the news after receiving the email on Wednesday. He said the contents of the group chat did not reflect how most of the students behaved nor the values of the school.

“No one knew about it,” Jerry said.

“None of the students.

“We are very shocked.”