Another elite school is facing a scandal after explicit images of dozens of female students circulated online, resulting in the arrest of a teenage boy.
Police are investigating after dozens of girls at Bacchus Marsh Grammar, northwest of Melbourne, reported fake AI nudes had been created and shared on social media.
Up to 50 students in years 9-12 were affected by the graphic images, which were shared on Instagram and Snapchat.
The girls’ faces were used to generate the nude photos, the school confirmed on Tuesday.
A teenager had been arrested over the incident, but Victoria Police confirmed he had been released pending further investigations.
Up to 50 students in grades 9 to 12 attending Bacchus Marsh Grammar (pictured) in Melbourne’s northwest were taken and shared on social media
“Officers have been advised that a number of images were sent to a person in the Melton area via an online platform on Friday, June 7,” a police statement said.
Police have arrested a teenager in connection with explicit images circulating online.
He was released pending further investigation.
The police are further investigating the incident
Bacchus Marsh Grammar principal Andrew Neal said the faces of the affected girls had been taken from social media before they were manipulated.
He described the incident as ‘obscene’.
‘It’s terrible. It is something that touches the hearts of students, especially girls growing up at this age,” Neal said, according to the ABC.
“They should be able to learn and go about their business without this kind of nonsense.”
Dozens of girls in grades 9-12 were affected by the graphic images, which were shared on Instagram and Snapchat (stock image)
Mr Neal said the school is currently working with police to have the images removed.
They are also working to find the person responsible for releasing the images.
Mr Neal said while the person responsible is believed to be at the school, police are not ruling out other possibilities.
Police confirm that an investigation into the incident is underway.
The school was first made aware of the footage on Monday and said the matter is being taken ‘very seriously’.
“The well-being of our students and their families is our top priority,” the school said in a statement.
Bacchus Marsh Grammar is offering support to affected students and their families, with Mr Neal saying the incident was not a reflection on the school community.
He said the behavior must be addressed “in the strongest possible way.”
The headmaster of Bacchus Marsh Grammar (pictured) described the incident as ‘horrible’