Students protest over ‘disturbing’ rape comments by teacher
Students at Swansea High School have held a protest condemning the ‘disgusting’ rape comments by a teacher, while also raising awareness to stop victim blaming.
Newcastle
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Rape culture is not acceptable. That was the simple message of Swansea High School students at a protest on Monday morning.
The protest, involving about 50 students, followed a controversial video posted to social media last week about a heated class discussion regarding rape, where a teacher’s comments have been widely shamed and condemned.
“We were all disgusted and disturbed at the comments, but we wanted to try and start our own movement through this,” year 10 student Reece Hill said.
“With the platform we have been given, we want to try and take the attention away from the school and onto rape culture in general.
“We want to use this platform to continue to do good and raise awareness.”
As the young woman standing up and debating the teachers comments in the video, Ms Hill has been praised for her courageous and willingness to speak out.
“I’m really grateful for all the support I have received. I have got a lot of nice messages from people, some lovely comments on the video, a lot of support for all of us,” she said.
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Ms Hill’s mum Natalee Balzan is her biggest fan and couldn’t be any prouder of the leadership her daughter has displayed.
“I’m really proud of her. Reece has always been this way, it’s just nice she’s a bit older and she is taking an interest in matters that matter to people, she is amazing,” she said.
Learning about the 1950s until now in class last week, students wanted to learn about fashion, when the conversation canvassed to what women wear and rape.
“It doesn’t matter what she is wearing, it was a lack of consent regardless. Even if she put herself out there, she said no,” Ms Hill said in the video.
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The teacher replied: “Yes it does matter, it does. I’m not saying you need to dress to suit what other people want.”
Those comments by the teacher have caused outrage, not just among students, but the wider community, with calls for the teacher to be fired.
“The things our teacher had to say we strongly disagreed on,” Natalia Nikoilic, who took the video, stated.
“I have been through their (friends) stories that they have been abused growing up, they have been raped and they’ve had a rough childhood.
“This is such a big thing for me. It’s what men or women decide to do, they have control over their bodies.”
Speaking on behalf of a number of parents Ms Balzan said she found the comments to be really disappointing.
“There definitely needs to be some re-education for teachers and those who can influence the kids,” she added.
“I found it pretty shameful and I was pretty upset the kids had to deal with that but at the same time, it was nice watching them all stand out and come together and take action.”
Boycotting a class which was set to be taught by the teacher on Monday, students banded together in solidarity to protest for better education and to condemn the victim blaming of rape assaults.
“I am very proud of everyone who came here to support us and help us make our voice heard,” Ngara Kennedy said.
“We met with our principal this morning and she was very supportive and proud of us for what we’ve done.
“It is so empowering to have people know that you’re not alone and people stand with you.
“It’s just really upsetting to hear a woman make those foul comments.”
The State Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley also showed her concern by the teacher’s comments, and said it was important to remove rape culture from all school grounds.
“What we should be teaching our kids is respectful relationships,” Ms Catley said.
“These kids should not be hearing in their classroom these comments made around rape culture.
“I’m calling on the Department of Education to do a full and thorough investigation. It must be transparent, it needs to give the community the confidence, there is no place for these teachings in the school grounds.
“The Department of Education’s conflict resolution process has a lot to be desired so they need to pull up their socks and be sure the investigation that takes place, rids itself of these terrible toxic comments and perhaps they need to look at having proper education programs.
“Today the girls said because you’ve got a short skirt on, you don’t get raped, it is only a rapist that causes rape and they’re 100 per cent right.”
In response to the protest, the NSW Department of Education said it condemns in the strongest possible terms any instances of sexual abuse, violence or assault.
Any allegations or evidence of sexual assault or sexual violence involving students, on school grounds and out of school hours, are addressed and immediately reported to police for investigation.
The department continues to investigate the matter at Swansea High School.
The teacher is currently not at the school and the school will continue to support students including the provision of counselling if required.
Deputy Secretary, School Operations and Performance, Murat Dizdar said, “the department strongly rejects any assumptions relating to a rape culture in any school, with the alleged comments of its staff member completely inappropriate.
“We expect respectful conduct from students, staff, and school community members and will support anyone who brings disrespectful or harmful behaviour to our attention.”