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While most initial testimonies came from women in the eastern suburbs,where Ms Contos went to school,the hundreds of allegations now span independent schools in Sydney’s north shore and inner west,as well as some public and Catholic schools.
In his email to Cranbrook parents,Dr Sampson shared an online link to the testimonies. “All of us at Cranbrook need to be grateful for the courage of these young women in speaking out. Society makes it very hard to raise issues of this type,” he said.
“The inspiration behind the petition has asked for schools such as ours to provide more in the field of teaching young males about issues relating to consent,and we will do so.”
He said the school would review all its pastoral programs. “Quite clearly,we need to do more,” he said.
“We have commenced conversations with neighbouring schools regarding the formulation of shared programs so that boys and girls can learn alongside,and get to know,each other beyond the pressure-cooker of the party scene and other unhelpful influences.”
Dr Lambert said Scots would also “seek further input from additional health experts and community specialists” to strengthen its programs and change both cultural discourse and behaviour.
“I will collaborate with leaders of local independent boys and girls schools to open the discussion about how to better implement cultural consistency and education,” he said.
Former police officer Brent Sanders has delivered sex consent education courses in high schools for more than 15 years,and serves several Sydney private schools including Scots and Cranbrook. “Nothing that I hear in this space really surprises me,” he said of the testimonies.
He said peer pressure,alcohol,a lack of knowledge and fear of losing face in front of male peers were all factors that contributed to the culture of sexual crime the young women described. “It’s a combination of a lot of things,” he said.
“There’s no guarantee that because people know it’s wrong,they’re not going to do it. Some kids will choose to cross the line. What do you do about that? It’s an age-old question.”
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But he said it was important that discussions among schools,parents and students continued. He received dozens of calls from school principals on the weekend,who were concerned by the revelations and considering improving education options for younger students.
Dr Lambert said it was clear community expectations and social standards had changed. “Expectations need to be reinforced and discussed regularly in the home and school environment,” he said.
Dr Sampson said the school would begin issuing clear advice to parents. “The light shone by the petition into a pretty dark ‘culture’ amongst some young people should also sound a call to arms for parents,responsible adults,public figures and our authorities,” he said.
Support services:Lifeline 13 11 14;beyondblue 1300 224 636;Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63;1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732
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