By Belinda Nolan
A CONTROVERSIAL facebook group spreading rumours and sexual allegations about Brimbank students and teachers has been shut down amid fears of cyber bullying.
A Star investigation has blown the lid on a series of internet “gossip groups”, exposing the secret lives of Brimbank students.
At least six facebook gossip groups have been set up in the past month with more than 2400 members, including past and present students of St Albans Secondary College, Catholic Regional College, Keilor Downs College, Copperfield College, Overnewton Anglican Community College and Taylors Lakes Secondary College.
The sites are run anonymously and urge users to post gossip, publicly naming students, teachers and other members of the community.
Many of the comments posted contain graphic allegations of sexual activity, insults and racist slurs.
Some posts even make claims of sexual acts committed on school grounds involving students and teachers.
The sites have been condemned by schools, psychologists and police amid fears the cyber bullying could damage victims’ reputations and mental health.
At least one site was shut down last week after Star notified schools of the websites.
St Albans Secondary College Principal Kerrie Dowsley told Star her school had reported one of the sites to facebook and warned students that bullying and defamation would not be tolerated.
“We have advised our school community that any student who engages in behaviour that vilifies, defames, degrades or humiliates another person risks suspension or expulsion,” Ms Dowsley said.
“Also, anyone involved in creating or contributing to these malicious gossip sites could also face charges including stalking or menace over a telecommunications service.”
Acting Brimbank Police Inspector Chris Gilbert confirmed that criminal charges could be laid over comments made on social media and urged victims to report any online harassment or stalking.
“We do take these things very seriously,” Acting Insp Gilbert said.
Keilor child psychologist Melissa Juzva said the gossip groups could have huge impacts on victims and called for similar sites to be shut down.
“My concern is that these types of comments are often targeting the most vulnerable young people,” Ms Juzva said.
