Schoolies: The dark side

Link to Original: http://3degree.cci.ecu.edu.au/articles/view/213

Schoolies: The dark side
By Glenn Knight
14 April 2006

It's seen as a right of passage, a celebration of the end of the teenage years and a welcoming of new adventures. But what happens when things go too far at Schoolies?

Sun filled days spent relaxing on white sandy beaches, with the cool of the ocean easing yesterday's sunburn. Nights filled with laughter and partying, flirtatious smiles and a sense of freedom. That’s what schoolies is supposed to be, it's a celebration of the end of high school, a time for creating new memories and meeting new friends.

Unfortunately for some, the memories are anything but great. Each year, school leaver’s hotspots around the country are the sites for a number of sexual crimes.

Young, often very drunk, women are being preyed upon by their fellow leavers and the ‘toolies’ – the name given to older people who attend school leaver celebrations to prey on young women.

Making matters worse, Police are often left powerless to prosecute, as the teenage victims are often too drunk to be reliable witnesses.

It has been reported that Western Australian police were aware of eight alleged rapes during schoolies celebrations last year. Of that figure, only five were officially reported and only one is part of an ongoing investigation.

Police from Queensland’s Gold Coast reportedly received five complaints of sexual assault, including three rape allegations, from last year’s festivities.

Officer in Charge of Rottnest Police, Sargent Paul Van Noort has seen this type of behaviour first hand.

“We had a sexual assault after the leavers period, involving a 15 year-old girl and again she was that drunk she really can’t remember too much and had no control over what was going on,” said Van Noort.

“She really can’t remember what happened and certainly with the forensic examination there has been some sexual activity that’s taken place. But was it consensual, wasn’t it consensual, who knows and she can’t really tell us,” he said.

The consent issue remains a difficult one for Police and Prosecutors.

“Even if we did know who the offender was, there would certainly be a defence there in say a court room scenario that you could say it was consensual,” said Van Noort.

“These girls are in no position to say they were really aware of what was going on in the first place, because they’re that drunk they don’t know,” he said.

Also of great concern to Police is the emerging trend of younger groups taking part in schoolies celebrations.

“What we are finding too, is the year 10s and 11s are now starting to develop that culture where they think they can have end of year celebrations as well,” said Van Noort.

Part of the problem, according to the experts, is the culturally sanctioned behaviour of using alcohol to lower inhibitions.

Professor Steve Allsop, Director of the National Drug Research Institute, says many are aware of the risks associated with such behaviour, but still continue with the practice. This practice can lead to very dangerous behaviour according to Allsop.

“Some people use alcohol as a ‘passport’ or excuse towards certain types of behaviour, that otherwise they would not have engaged in,” said Allsop.

“Many people who know the risk, will still take the risk."

“The problem is, of course, their memory of events may be partially or totally impaired and so it does affect the ability of the police to prosecute such behaviour.”

Allsop is quick to point out that alcohol isn’t solely to blame.

“We also need to tackle attitudes and values around violence and sexual consent. A small number of young men have values and actions that result in them acting as ‘predators' around young women, irrespective of alcohol,” he said.

Van Noort is quick to add that it is a misconception that the girls are a completely innocent party.

“Lots of girls leave themselves very vulnerable, but at the same time they are out there, preying on the boys,” said Van Noort.

“It's nothing unusual for us to come across girls boasting about the tally of boys they’ve had that particular night,” he said.

Allsop and Van Noort agree that a change in behaviour is the best way to tackle the problem.

“We also need to build a process of ‘looking after your mates’ and teaching young people how to avoid risk and also equipping parents with knowledge and skills,” said Allsop.

He also says that greater warnings should be given about the predatory behaviour of some of the people who go to schoolies celebrations.

This view is echoed by Van Noort: “Come over and have a good time by all means, that’s not a problem, but just be aware of what you’re getting into and look after your mates.”

Rottnest Police have been praised for their successful handling of schoolies celebrations with a lot of schoolies sites around Australia now modelling the Rottnest approach.

Rottnest Police are speaking to school leavers months prior to the event and letting them know what kind of experiences they can expect. They also assign an area specifically for leavers on the island and provide activities for them. Police also make themselves approachable and mingling with the crowds has seen a positive response.

“You can set up the best policing, the best security and the best information, but if people aren’t looking after each other and not looking after themselves, well they’re going to get into strife,” said Allsop.