Experts warn Geelong schools are ‘overrun’ with image-based abuse

Geelong schools are bringing in police officers to speak with kids about the dangers of sharing nude pictures, as sexual violence experts warn campuses are being “overrun” by crimes that start with sexting.

Geelong schools are teaching students how to stay safe online. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

Geelong schools are bringing in police officers to speak with kids about the dangers of sharing nude pictures, as sexual violence experts warn campuses are being “overrun” by crimes that start with sexting.

In the five years to March 2024, 24 recorded intimate image-based offences were committed by minors across Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast and Colac-Otway shires, according to the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

Over this time, 56 imaged-based offences were committed against underage victims, with experts warning the real number was likely much higher.

St Joesph’s school principal Tony Paatsch said the Newtown boys’ school lived in the real world when it came to dealing with image-based abuse on campus.

“It’s an issue in the world, so it’s an issue at St Joseph’s, as it is at every school,” he said.

“We can’t fix everything but we do our main job and that’s educating.”

Mr Paatsch said students went through wellbeing classes from Year 7 to 12, with age-appropriate education on sexual violence and tech-related issues like image-based abuse.

“It’s addressed as unacceptable, illegal in an age-specific ways,” he said.

“But the students only spend about 20 per cent of their waking hours at school.”

He said guest speakers and police liaison officers were also regularly brought in to speak with students.

St Joesph College Principal Tony Paatsch. Picture Mark Wilson

Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive officer Kathleen Maltzahn said Geelong schools were being “overrun” by these behaviours.

“(Tech companies) have to be held to account,” she said.

“We can, and should, work with young people to let them know what’s acceptable, what to do when they’ve experienced tech-facilitated imaged-based abuse.

“But it has to be the people running the tech companies (and benefiting from the abuse) who are held accountable, not the 14-year-old that has been abused, or the 14-year-old who’s caused the harm.”

Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive officer Kathleen Maltzahn.

At Christian College, director of wellbeing Kim Doherty said the school took a proactive and preventive approach to student wellbeing, drawing heavily on the resources provided by the eSafety Commissioner to educate students.

“We recognise the significance of the educative work we need to provide in all aspects of online safety, but also in partnering with our parents/carers, and local, state and national organisations in this endeavour,” she said.

She said Christian College also used eSafety tools when developing protocols for responding when serious online safety incidents occurred.

Ms Doherty said the college has also adopted a holistic, community-focused program that promoted and supported students in the development of positive digital behaviours.

“The sharing of explicit material between young people is a complex issue,” she said.

“Managing and responding to disclosures may include components of education, restorative responses and imposing consequences.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman said while schools played an important part in helping stamp out misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour, parents, carers and the wider community all played a critical role in modelling respectful behaviours.

Originally published as Experts warn Geelong schools are ‘overrun’ with image-based abuse