In a stunning move that has left many parents scratching their heads, Crestview High School in Australia recently held an assembly aimed at its female students, suggesting ways they could prevent boys from sharing inappropriate photos of them. The advice included recommendations like avoiding skirts above the knee, wearing minimal makeup, and refraining from taking “suggestive selfies.” We can only imagine that the boys received their own assembly focused solely on telling them to “stop.”
Earlier this month, a mother named Ellen Parker took to Facebook after receiving a message from her daughter about the assembly, which was prompted by Crestview being identified as one of several schools involved in an online child exploitation ring. This group has shared over 2,000 images since its inception, targeting girls and referring to any nude photos of them as “wins.” Rather than addressing the root issue, the school decided to instruct girls on how to protect themselves and their dignity, implying that their behavior contributed to the problem.
While it’s crucial to educate young people about the risks of online predators and the misuse of their images, it’s equally important to convey this message without placing blame on the victims. Crestview’s principal, Mark Reynolds, claimed that the connection drawn between the dress code and online exploitation was “coincidental.” He stated that the assembly was intended as a reminder of the uniform policy without suggesting that girls’ attire makes harassment acceptable. However, discussing dress code in this context inherently links the two and unfairly shifts the focus onto the victims.
Ellen was understandably upset and made her feelings known to the school. She articulated the real issue: “The problem lies not with the girls and their clothing choices but with the boys and their sense of entitlement, disrespect, and the choices they make to violate trust.”
Unfortunately, we still live in a culture that often blames women for the actions of men, perpetuating the idea that girls must manage their appearance to avoid unwanted attention. This assembly taught the young women that their bodies hold power over men, and they must tread carefully to avoid humiliation and blame.
Thankfully, Ellen’s strong voice has prompted school officials to meet with the students and issue a sincere apology. This is a commendable step, but it’s vital the school follows up with further discussions on topics such as slut-shaming, rape culture, and victim-blaming. We hope the young women at Crestview High remain empowered and recognize that the issue is not theirs but rather a reflection of societal attitudes towards women.
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In summary, the assembly at Crestview High School highlights ongoing issues of victim-blaming and the need for educational institutions to focus on empowering both girls and boys rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes.