Female Students From 71 Australian Schools Exploited By Disturbing Pornography Ring

Trigger warning: This article discusses sexual assault and child exploitation.

Since December of last year, more than 2000 images of female students from 71 Australian schools have been traded in a highly disturbing pornography ring.

News.com.au unearthed the operation, which is run by teenage boys and young men, who nominate specific high schools and students they’re “hunting”.

The images – graphic and sexual in nature – have been published with the corresponding student’s full name and identifying details. Other students have been named and identified on a “wanted” list; the ring then works to phish nude photos of the student in question and share them accordingly. Many of those featured are underage.

In an upsetting twist, police say they have been unable to act – despite multiple complaints of child pornography – as the ‘swap-meet’ site is being hosted overseas.

The site apparently mentions 29 NSW high schools by name. Also discussed are 18 Queensland high schools, 15 Victorian high schools, five ACT high schools, two South Australian high schools and two Tasmanian high schools.

The discovery of the site follows July’s Brighton Grammar controversy, in which two male students were expelled for hosting an Instagram account with similarly pornographic images of fellow female students.

As News.com.au reports, this ‘swap-meet’ site is now seeking to republish the images taken down from that very Instagram account.

Though the site remains outside of police jurisdiction, the NSW Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, confirmed that those taking or distributing the images are not beyond the law’s grasp.

“[It] is a criminal offence to take, transmit or possess images that are considered child pornography,” she said.

“This also applies to teenagers, who are reminded that the dissemination of any material depicting nudity or sexual activity involving young people could constitute a criminal offence.

“They should be aware they could be arrested and charged and, if convicted, end up with a criminal record.”

You can find a full list of the schools named here.

If you have any information 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, Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 – or Reachout.com.au.

Photo: iStock.