Private school heads to meet with top sex squad cop about sexual assault claims

The new boss of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Stacey Maloney will speak to hundreds of private school heads on Friday about weeding out sexual violence.

Hundreds of private school heads have been summoned before the boss of the NSW sex crimes squad after more than 3000 testimonies from current and former students alleging sexual assault.

The new boss of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, Stacey Maloney, will speak to hundreds of private school heads from all across the state on Friday about weeding out sexual violence.

It comes after 3300 privately-educated teenagers reported being raped and sexually attacked by Scots, Cranbrook, Waverley and Redlands schoolboys, among others, in a petition launched by former Kambala schoolgirl Chanel Contos.

The boss of the state’s private school sector Geoff Newcombe has vowed “there will be no cover-ups” if students have committed sexual crimes.

“It has nothing to do with reputation or brand, we have to be as transparent as possible,” Dr Newcombe said.

“If there are instances of criminality, they will be dealt with.”

Sex Crimes Squad Detective Superintendent Stacey Maloney will meet with private school heads. Picture: Tim Hunter

Beyond investigating any crimes that may have already been committed, the private school sector has called on the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for help teaching students about consent.

“As children move into young adulthood, we need to make sure they understand the seriousness of the concept of consent,” Dr Newcombe said.

“Whether we like it or not, a lot of responsibility falls on teachers.

“If someone breaks the law and commits a crime it must be dealt with, but (Detective Superintendent Maloney) isn’t looking to lock up 1000 kids, she wants to make sure we deal with this now to make sure students don’t become serious offenders who commit serious crimes.”

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS NSW) has also scheduled talks with the Human Rights Commission and has vowed to train more teachers in how best to curb sexually inappropriate behaviour among students.

The Sunday Telegraph last week reported Detective Superintendent Maloney is spearheading a push from the NSW Police to overhaul consent laws in sexual violence cases in the face of rock bottom conviction rates and a system that robs victims of justice.

For her part, Det Sup Maloney is so far satisfied with the way private schools have responded to the crisis.

“We are encouraged by the response from the AIS NSW since we connected last week to discuss the issue of sexual violence,” she said.

“This week myself and Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith will meet with key figures from the sector around how we can work together to create an environment and culture where students can focus on education and empowerment safely without fear.”