REVEALED: Allegations of sexual assault at south coast schools on the rise

Some of the most disturbing incidents at south coast schools have been revealed by a new education dossier that also recorded a shocking surge in assaults in the last year.

Public schools in a busy south coast town reported more than a dozen allegations of sexual assault in one year amid a shocking surge in “indecent assaults” at government-run schools across the state.

In 2020, the NSW Department of Education recorded a 44 per cent rise in instances of indecent assaults, according to the department‘s register of “serious” incidents.

The vast majority of indecent assaults, which are assaults of a sexual nature that do not involve rape, were student on student.

In the popular seaside tourist spot of Batemans Bay, there were 14 allegations of sexual assaults made in the last year.

In one instance, an executive staff member reported concern for an undisclosed number of students who had disclosed allegations of being assaulted by another student at school.

According to the department’s dossier, the parents of a student then came onto the school grounds and made “verbal threats” towards students.

Other reports made to the department include instances in which students are alleged to have been assaulted off school grounds, by a member of the public, or were encouraged to engage in certain acts.

One report stated that: “An executive staff member reports students have made allegations of assault occurring on and off school grounds.

“Police have been notified. Director Educational Leadership is aware.”

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.”

While a Department of Education spokesman said violent incidents declined in the latest reporting period because now only very serious incidents were being captured, on parts of the south coast, numerous frightening episodes were still being reported.

In the reporting area of Eden-Monaro, multiple assaults were recorded in the last year, with both staff and students reporting injuries.

In one instance, an employee reported an undisclosed number of students had sustained injuries after a physical altercation on school grounds.

“First aid was applied and the parents were contacted,” according to the report.

“Parents arrived at the school and a parent’s behaviour escalated, resulting in a lockdown.

“School resumed operation shortly after the incident.”

Of the 13 instances of assault recorded in Eden-Monaro, four resulted in a school lockdown.

In another instance, a student in a “heightened state” assaulted staff members before absconding from school grounds.

“Police were notified and located the student a short time later and returned the student to school,” according to the report.

In the reporting area of the south coast, multiple reports were made about the welfare of students who had fled campus during the school day.

In one instance, students fled school grounds by climbing a tree.

“Employees followed the students but shortly lost sight of them,” according to the report.

“The students were returned to school by an employee from a neighbouring school who had identified them.

“Upon returning to school, the student absconded again.

“(The) students returned to school on their own shortly after. Disciplinary action has been taken.”

In another reported incident, a student, having refused to go to class, attempted to climb onto the roof before being stopped by an employee.

The student then fled school grounds.

“The student remained in the line of sight of staff at all times and was eventually brought back to school safe and well,” according to the report.

“The student was then collected from school by their parent. The school is managing the matter locally and support is in place.”

Suicide attempts among schoolchildren also jumped by almost 50 per cent from 83 in 2019 to 123 in 2020.

Students arriving at Brisbane State High School.

In Shoalhaven, where numerous assaults were also recorded, a student attempted suicide.

“An employee intervened and managed the situation,” according to the report.

“The student did not sustain any physical injuries.”

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.

The Department of Education spokesperson 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,” they 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.”