Mock trial and sex toy: six expelled, 21 suspended from elite St Paul’s College

The nation’s peak discrimination and sexual harassment body has raised concerns over allegations a group of students used a sex toy to gag a peer during a shocking mock trial at an elite college.

Australian’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner has been deeply troubled by allegations of a disturbing, sexually violating hazing incident at St Paul’s College, as activists and the Greens double down on calls to have the University of Sydney’s residential colleges abolished altogether.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Dr Anna Cody described the incident – in which a male student was allegedly mocked and gagged with a sex toy – as “deeply troubling”

It shows far more work needs to be done to improve workplace cultures right across the country, she said, and that leaders need to “set an example”.

“These recent reports serve as a powerful reminder to employers across industries that workplace safety and respect must be actively championed from the top down,” Dr Cody said.

“It is also essential we have men and women in leadership and people from a range of race and cultural backgrounds so that new, respectful work and study cultures can be created.

Sex discrimination commissioner Dr Anna Cody. Picture: Supplied

“We all have a role in this effort to create a safer, more respectful Australia where everyone can live free from violence and discrimination, with respect and dignity.”

It comes after a group of Sydney University students have been accused of using a sex toy to gag a student during a mock trial hazing incident at the college.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that a group of six male second-year students – known as ‘Paulines’ – were expelled from St Paul’s, and a further 21 were suspended.

Radio 2GB revealed further details of the incident, which included the use of the adult device.

It has been alleged that during the mock trial incident, where a student was ‘prosecuted’ before a ‘judge’, that the student was subjected to verbal abuse.

The device was then reportedly placed into his mouth after the ‘judge’ told fellow students to “gag the defendant”.

The mock trial hazing incident occurred at St Paul’s College, Sydney University.

The University of Sydney’s Women’s Collective and NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong have leapt on the case, claiming the latest incident is further evidence that little has changed since a 2018 review into college culture undertaken by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

Seizing the opportunity to make a renewed push to abolish the residential colleges, an online petition supported by Ms Leong argues the institutions “perpetuate a culture of misogyny, elitism and sexual violence”.

The University of Sydney’s Student Representative Council (SRC) is supporting a NSW Greens petition to have the uni's residential colleges abolished, with the Women's Collective urging followers to sign on.

“University campuses will never be safe spaces as long as private colleges exist,” Ms Leong told The Daily Telegraph.

“This is not just a few bad apples – hazing practices have been part of the culture at university colleges for decades and despite multiple reports and reviews, leadership still hasn’t been able to clean this stuff up.

“Misogyny, elitism and sexual violence are institutional issues that are deeply embedded in the fabric of colleges and the only way to eliminate them is to actually abolish the colleges.”

The Newtown MP is developing a bill to be put to parliament in the coming months that would see private colleges on public land replaced with affordable student housing.

Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong at the party’s campaign launch in 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

In response to initial reports on Tuesday of ‘serious bullying’ at St Paul’s, warden Ed Loane said the College was “shocked and deeply disappointed” and that the behaviour was “contrary” to St Pauls’ values and standards.

The College confirmed that those involved had been expelled and bystanders who “failed to intervene” suspended.

St Paul's College warden Dr Ed Loane.

“Our response, upon learning of this and conducting a thorough investigation, has been to expel the perpetrators and suspend the bystanders who failed to intervene,” he said.

A spokesperson for the University of Sydney said the incident was “deeply disappointing” and that it supported the actions of the College.

“We support the disciplinary action the college has taken and their commitment to review the training they provide to students,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re also following up directly to understand additional steps the college is taking to manage this issue and ensure the safety and wellbeing of students.”

In response to the fresh allegations, Sydney University Vice-Chancellor Professor Joanne Wright said the University was “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the incident.

She said that while the residential colleges were independent, but the University endeavoured to work with them closely “when issues arise, with the welfare of students our top priority”.

“We are in contact with the College to understand the facts around what happened and the steps they are taking to manage this issue and ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, and to determine any additional measures we may need to take,” Professor Wright said.

“All our investigations are undertaken with procedural fairness and the wellbeing of our community front of mind.”

St Pauls College, Sydney University

She said support and wellbeing services were available and those who experienced or witnessed “inappropriate” behaviour to get in touch so the University could “provide support, investigate, and take appropriate action”.

St Paul’s College, an Anglican institution, points to its commitment to fostering “the development of young people through education and the cultivation of Christian virtues and moral integrity.”

Established in 1856, the college transitioned to a coeducational model last year, after 166 years as an all-male institution.

Originally published as Mock trial and sex toy: six expelled, 21 suspended from elite St Paul’s College