CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse.
Two student-elected Liberal members of the University of Sydney‘s (USYD) campus Conservative Club were recorded ripping up and throwing copies of a shocking report into St Paul’s hazing and sexual abuse during a council meeting on Wednesday night.
The incident comes right after six students were expelled and another 21 suspended from the USYD’s St Paul College for a serious bullying incident.
As reported by student publication Honi Soit, the shocking incident took place as incoming Women’s Officer Ellie Robertson was giving a speech on sexual violence within colleges.
While Robertson presented her speech, fellow incoming Women’s Officer Martha Barlow handed out printed copies of the harrowing report to all councillors who were present.
It was during this when the Liberal members reportedly took copies and ripped them up before throwing it towards other councillors who objected to their behaviour.
As one of the members ripped up the report, another one can be heard asking “how old is this” as others laughed.
What is the Red Zone Report?
The Red Zone Report, co-written by Nina Funnell, Anna Hush and research assistant Sharna Bremner, gives a grim insight into the sexual violence and hazing that takes place in Australian university residential colleges.
The research found that one in eight sexual assaults at USYD colleges take place during Orientation Week (O Week), which has been dubbed as the “Red Zone” by sexual assault services.
Following Wednesday Night’s incident, Red Zone Report author Nina Funnell took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her concerns with the Liberal members’ behaviours.
“What I will say for now is that the Red Zone Report documents almost 100 years of hazing & rape, as well as 3 deaths (including a murder) at USYD,” Funnell shared.
“To laugh in their faces is not just callous, it’s telling. It’s not a slap it the face to us as the authors, it’s a slap in the face to the survivors as well as the families of those who didn’t make it.
“Do better.”
This week St Paul's college at Sydney Uni have been in the media after a mass bullying incident which resulted in expulsions & suspensions.
— Nina Funnell, Journalist & Survivor advocate🎗️ (@ninafunnell) October 30, 2024
Tonight a group of USYD male students at a student meeting ripped up the #RedZoneReport laughing at the details it contains.
As coauthor🧵 pic.twitter.com/i3W26HtPwT
In a joint statement, Funnell and Bremner reiterated how the members’ actions were a “slap in the face” to all those who were involved in the report.
Both Barlow and Robertson have slammed the members’ behaviour in separate statements, with Barlow mentioning that the actions were “horrific but perhaps not surprising”.
In a statement obtained by the Women’s Agenda, USYD’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education Professor Joanne Wright said the University is “shocked and disappointed” by the incident.
“Any form of bullying or harassment is absolutely unacceptable and we support the disciplinary action the College has taken, and their commitment to review the training they provide to students,” Professor Wright told the publication
“While our affiliated residential colleges are independent, we endeavour to work together closely when issues arise, with the welfare of students our top priority. We are in contact with the College to understand the facts around what happened and the steps they are taking to manage this issue and ensure the safety and well-being of students, and to determine any additional measures we may need to take.
“All our investigations are undertaken with procedural fairness and the wellbeing of our community front of mind.”
According to Honi Soit, Professor Wright also issued a “formal reminder” to the SRC of “their obligation to manage their meetings with sensitivity and respect”.
The incident comes days after USYD was in the headlines after its St Paul’s College was rocked by a bullying incident where a student was allegedly gagged with a sex toy.
Three of the students who were involved in the incident were a part of the college student leadership team. One student has since been expelled while the other two have been suspended.
At the time of writing, NSW Police have been made aware of the report but have not received a formal complaint from the school, witnesses or victims.
Help is available.
- If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
- If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
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