SCHOOL CAMP SEX ASSAULT PROBE
POLICE INVESTIGATION: Allegations year 7 girl assaulted by fellow student
POLICE are investigating after a schoolboy allegedly sexually assaulted a year 7 girl at a local school camp.
It’s understood more than 100 Oberon High School year 7 students were at Anglesea’s Camp Wilkin when the incident allegedly took place on Thursday.
POLICE are investigating after a schoolboy allegedly sexually assaulted a Year 7 girl on a local school camp.
It’s understood more than 100 Oberon High School Year 7 students were at Anglesea’s Camp Wilkin when the incident allegedly occurred on Thursday night.
The Geelong Advertiser understands the alleged perpetrator is also in Year 7.
The camp began on Wednesday, with students originally scheduled to return home yesterday afternoon.
The public school has about 160 Year 7 students.
Staff from Oberon High School did not return calls.
An Education Department spokeswoman said the health and safety of all students was paramount and violent behaviour was not tolerated.
“We are aware of an incident at a school camp last night and police were immediately contacted,” the spokeswoman said yesterday.
“The school is providing a wide range of wellbeing support, including counselling support, to staff and students.”
Geelong police Superintendent Craig Gillard con- firmed the matter had been reported to police and was under investigation. Victoria Police media spokeswoman Elaine Cooney said police were called to an incident in Noble St, Anglesea about 10pm Thursday night.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further,” she said.
Camp Wilkin is run by Baptist Camping Victoria and its website reads: “Tucked away just off the Great Ocean Road, this idyllic camp will create the memories that bind your group for years.”
It is not yet known whether the alleged offender has been disciplined.
According to the school’s Student Code of Behaviour, “behaviour that endangers others” and “sex-based harassment in all forms” are “unacceptable behaviours”.
The code states that a possible consequence of such behaviour is to “negotiate alternative pathways or settings for the student; or as a matter of last resort, suspension or expulsion”.
The code also dictates that the principal has the power to immediately suspend a stu- dent. “Immediate suspensions can occur only if a student behaves in such a way that would provide the basis for a suspension ordinarily, and their behaviour is such that they are putting the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves, staff or other students at significant risk.”
A student can be suspended for a maximum of five days per suspension, according to the document.
Oberon High School’s website says the three-day orientation camp is attended by all Year 7 students.
“The camps are designed to encourage students to make new friends within their form groups and work co-operatively.
“Activities which can be undertaken at the camp include: orienteering, night hiking, giant swing, vertical challenge, compass and map reading, rope work, bush walking, canoeing, surfing and initiative activities.”
Oberon High School’s website said it has a population of 700 students, drawn from a “very wide urban, rural and coastal area”.
The school is located in Belmont, and will relocate to Armstrong Creek in 2021.