Luther College boys’ group chat allegedly discussed raping a year 11 female student

Whistleblowers at a coeducational Christian school in Melbourne’s east say a boys’ chat group allegedly discussed raping a year 11 female student, the Herald Sun can reveal.

A private school boys’ chat group allegedly discussed raping a year 11 female student and commented on the looks of other girls at the elite college, the Herald Sun can reveal.

Whistleblowers at Luther College, a coeducational Christian school in Melbourne’s east, said the boys wrote “serious sexual violence” messages on a platform called Discord.

The chat was created last year, but only came to light in late March.

Media, including the Herald Sun, reported girls at the school were being ranked on a list, prompting principal Jacqui Layfield to send a letter to the school community on April 1 denying this allegation.

She said the chat involved “offensive comments” but had become “the subject of inaccurate rumours”.

“It is deeply disappointing that the situation has been misrepresented through false claims — particularly suggestions that male students created a list or were “rating” female classmates,” Ms Layfield wrote.

Boys at Luther College wrote “serious sexual violence” messages on a platform called Discord. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun has been told that when a staff member asked the principal about the incident, she replied: “It wasn’t as bad as Yarra Valley’s list.”

Four male students at Yarra Valley Grammar in Ringwood in Melbourne’s east were suspended after creating a spreadsheet rating the looks of female students, including one category called “unrapeable.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time she was “devastated” by the behaviour.

Teachers at Luther College have been given no information about the boys’ Discord chat, but have been told not to discuss the matter.

Students have been told not to believe the rumours.

While the college said it had “promptly and professionally investigated (the) offensive comments” and “immediate and appropriate actions had been taken”, staff at the school disagreed.

“They are petrified of this getting out and no action has been taken,” one whistleblower said.

“No one has been suspended and one complainant has been told there is nothing they can do because the messages have now been deleted and there is no proof,” another source said.

The messages were posted on free voice, video and text app Discord. Picture. Supplied

Another source said: “We should be having an open and frank conversation about what is happening otherwise we are just accepting this behaviour”.

“It’s pretty gross,” they said.

In her letter Ms Layfield said: “While I understand the desire for information, there are important considerations relating to the privacy and wellbeing of those involved that limit what I am able to share publicly.

“Out of respect for the privacy, confidentiality, and procedural fairness of all students involved, I am not in a position to provide specific details,” it continued.

“However, I assure you that significant support is being provided to those affected.”

One teacher said the school had Melinda Tankard Reist, an advocate for women and girls who is best known for her work addressing sexualisation and violence against women, and psychologist and parenting expert Justin Coulson presenting sessions to parents.

Ms Tankard Reist said she had not spoken at the school since last year.

She said group chats between students and cyber bullying at all schools “was the worst she had ever seen”.

Ms Layfield declined to comment.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said Knox Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Unit detectives received a report of inappropriate online communication between students at a Croydon Hills school on 31 March.

“The communication was assessed and no criminal offences were identified”.