In a bewildering decision that has left parents questioning the judgment of Kambrya College in Australia, the institution organized an assembly aimed at advising female students on how to prevent boys from sharing their intimate photos. The misguided suggestions included avoiding skirts above the knee, minimizing makeup, and refraining from taking “sexy selfies.” One can only imagine that the boys were informed in a separate assembly to simply “stop.”
Earlier this month, mother Lisa Johnson expressed her outrage on social media after receiving a text from her daughter about the assembly, which was convened following Kambrya College’s identification as one of seventy Australian schools implicated in an online child pornography ring. This disturbing group has circulated over 2,000 images since its inception in December, targeting girls and classifying any nude photos of them as “wins.” When Kambrya learned that some of its students were mentioned, the administration decided that the solution was to instruct female students on how to “protect their integrity” instead of addressing the predatory behavior of the boys involved. By this logic, I might as well give away my possessions to prevent theft and disband my online presence to avoid identity theft.
While it is crucial for girls to be aware of the risks posed by online predators and the potential misuse of their images, it is equally important that boys receive similar guidance. The school’s misstep was not simply in providing information but in shifting blame onto the female students. Principal Mark Stevens insisted that the connection between the school’s dress code and internet pornography was “unintentional.” He stated to an Australian news outlet that the girls’ assembly was merely a reminder of the existing uniform policy and did not suggest that the girls’ attire made harassment or abuse acceptable. However, by discussing dress code in the context of these incidents, the school inherently linked the two and wrongly placed blame on the girls.
Johnson’s response was both appropriate and pointed. She articulated the real issue: “The problem lies not with the girls and the length of their skirts or their choice to share photos; it rests with the boys—their sense of entitlement, sexist views towards women and girls, their lack of respect, and their deliberate breach of trust.” Amen to that.
Society still clings to outdated notions regarding female sexuality, reminiscent of the shame faced by Hester Prynne. We continue to hear questions directed at victims about their sexual histories, and women are often blamed for allowing men to exploit them. The underlying message is that girls must suppress their natural expressions of identity to avoid provoking male desire. This assembly reinforced the idea that girls must manage male impulses to avoid shameful outcomes, a damaging narrative that must be dismantled.
According to Johnson’s social media updates, school officials have since met with students to extend a “sincere and heartfelt” apology. This is a promising first step, but it is essential that this apology is followed by further discussions addressing topics like slut-shaming, rape culture, and victim-blaming. It is vital for the young women at Kambrya College to remain empowered, understanding that this situation was never about them, but rather about power dynamics, misogyny, and the lack of accountability among perpetrators. Thankfully, we have strong advocates like Lisa Johnson who refuse to let such incidents go unchallenged.
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In summary, a mother has rightfully condemned her child’s school for holding an assembly that perpetuated victim-blaming attitudes. The focus should have been on educating both girls and boys about respect and accountability rather than placing the burden on female students to modify their behavior to avoid exploitation.