Australian Federal Police to investigate porn sharing site

QUEENSLAND police have joined federal and interstate colleagues in investigating an online porn sharing site that has targeted girls at least 70 schools across the country.

Hundreds of explicit images of young girls have been shared online without their knowledge.

QUEENSLAND police have joined federal and interstate colleagues in investigating an online porn sharing site that has targeted girls at least 70 schools across the country.

The site has been used to share hundreds of explicit images of young girls since December.

Housemate’s sex tape revenge

Concerns over court appointment

Broncos star’s alleged drunken rage

Union official guilty of intimidating

Ex-minister Miller has right attitude

Yesterday, it was revealed young men have been using the site to target specific high schools or regions where they are phishing for nude photos, along with the full names of girls they are “hunting”. In Queensland, schools have been identified in Brisbane, the Sunshine and Gold coasts and the state’s north.

Hundreds of individual names have appeared on “wanted” lists, including the names of sisters and entire friendship circles, and about 70 schools across the country have been targeted.

Australian police had been made aware of the site but had previously said they were powerless to shut it down, due to the fact the site is hosted overseas.

In a statement released this afternoon, the AFP said it was investigating the site, amid growing pressure to ban it.

“The Australian Federal Police is aware of the existence of a website which encourages users to upload images of a sexual nature. A number of these images allegedly depict nonconsenting and/or underage women,” the statement read.

“The AFP is currently liaising with its domestic and international law enforcement partners and relevant government agencies to evaluate this matter and to determine appropriate courses of action.”

While the power to shut down the site may remain out of the AFP’s hands, it warned those sharing images on the site were doing so within Australia, and they could be prosecuted.

“It is important to note that creating, accessing or distributing child pornography is a serious offence, even if you are a child yourself,” the statement read.

“Child pornography offences have a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.”

In a statement issued this afternoon, Queensland Police said they have conducted inquiries but were yet to receive any formal complaints.

“We are working with our interstate colleagues, the AFP and the eSafety Commissioner and have conducted an initial investigation into the origin of the site,” the statement said.

“We believe the site is hosted overseas and does not appear to contain any child exploitation material,” Detective Superintendent Cheryl Scanlon of the Child Safety and Sexual Crimes Group said.

Schools in Brisbane - including All Hallows and Cavendish Road State High School, on the Sunshine and Gold coasts and north Queensland have been identified on the site.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Police and Education minister met earlier today to discuss a response to the website.

She said she had been assured the police had been “quick to act” as soon as the allegations came to light.

“Queensland’s Tasforce Argos detectives are internationally recognised for the exceptional work they do to protect children online, and they are on the case,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said schools have a role to play in education and police in enforcing the law, but said they “could not do it alone”.

“We also need parents and caregivers to monitor what their children are doing in cyberspace and ensure they are educated about society’s expectations, the law and possible risks,” she said.

The Premier said it was important for everyone to protect themselves online and understand the risks associated with posting any image on social media.

Education Minister Kate Jones said Education Queensland had been made aware of the website last night and responded immediately.

She confirmed that the website did not appear to host any child-exploitation material.

Ms Jones said schools will provide guidance and support to students and families on request.

“It’s important that every child learns safe, appropriate and responsible behaviour online,” she said.

Teenage girls have been targeted on the site.

There has been an outpouring of shock since the site was exposed yesterday.

Once a girl’s name appears on a list on the site, other members of the group then “contribute” by posting identifying information about the intended victim, such as her full name, face, school, home address, and phone number, along with directives like “Go get her boys!”

Any “wins” (a colloquial term referring to nude photos) of the nominated target are then uploaded or offered in exchange for a trade.

Some targets are so sought after that “bounties” have been offered for any user who can post a “win”.

While many of the photos of girls posted on the site have been taken without their knowledge, the vast majority have been explicit photos shared by previous partners.

The site targets mostly high schools and teenage girls.

FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED ON THE SITE BY STATE

NSW

Blaxland High School

Colo High School

Eastview High School

Elderslie High School

Elizabeth Macarthur High School

Francis Greenway High School

Grafton High School

Greenpoint Christian College

Holsworthy High School

Ingleburn High School

John Therry Catholic High School

Lake Munmorah High School

Leumeah High School

Lisarow High School

Magdelene Catholic High School

Maitland High School

Mount Annan High NSW

Mullumbimby High School

Plumpton High School

Rutherford Technology High School

South Grafton High School

St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton

St Lukes Grammar School

St Patricks College, Campbelltown

The Jannali High School

Thomas Hassall Anglican College

Turramurra High School

Wenona

Wyong High School

QUEENSLAND

Allhallows’ School

Calamvale Community College

Caloundra State High School

Cavendish Road State High School

Clontarf Beach State High School

Grace Lutheran College

Grace Lutheran College

Kirwan State High School

Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Miami State High School

Ormiston College

Redlands College

Runcorn State High School Wins

Ryan Catholic College

Sheldon College

Southern Cross Catholic College, Redcliffe

Springwood State High School

St Andrews Anglican College QLD

Woodridge State High School

VICTORIA

Bacchus Marsh Grammar School

Bairnsdale Secondary College

Bayswater Secondary College

Carrum Downs High School

Christian College Geelong- Surf Coast Campus

Frankston High school

Hillcrest Christian College

Kambrya College

Lakeside College, Pakenham

Lilydale High School

Norwood secondary college

Pakenham Secondary College

Patterson River secondary

Ringwood Secondary College

Werribee Secondary College

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Glossop High School

Thomas More College

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Canberra College

Gungahlin College

Radford College

St Clares College Canberra

St Mary MacKillop College

TASMANIA

Claremont College

Montrose Bay High School

If you have further information or would like to report concerns, contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual assault or exploitation support is available at 1800 RESPECT and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.