Four male students at Melbourne’s prestigious Yarra Valley Grammar have been suspended after compiling a shocking spreadsheet containing photos of their female classmates, with each of the students ranking female classmates from top to bottom as either “wifeys”, “cuties”, “mid”, “object”, “get out” and finally, “unrapable”. Yes, you read that right!
This is not only repulsive, but it also highlights the critical need for schools to address equality and respect within their own communities.
The disturbing nature of the spreadsheet
The spreadsheet’s contents are quite alarming since they reveal a mentality in which ladies are objectified and evaluated according to flimsy standards.
Terms like “object” and “unrapable” imply a culture that trivializes sexual abuse while simultaneously dehumanising these young women.
The term “unrapable” implies that other girls are “rapable,” a concept that is not just offensive but potentially dangerous. This behaviour feeds into broader societal issues that normalise misogyny and contribute to violence against women.
“Calling some girls as “unrapable” means that they think the other girls ARE rapable. That’s the worst part – entirely. That they think rape is OK – and laughable.” Available-Trust-2387 (Reddit)
Fast Response By School Commended
The students were promptly suspended after staff discovered a screenshot of the spreadsheet, which had been shared online using the Discord platform.
The emotional harm inflicted on the 40 targeted girls cannot be easily forgotten or erased. The ripple effects on the school community’s sense of safety and trust are profound. How can these girls sit down in class again and feel safe? This incident demands not just immediate action but ongoing efforts to rebuild respect and ensure that school is a safe space for everyone.
“We need to get to the bottom of this and work out who is responsible and hold them accountable. The boys who did it thought it would stay among themselves but how often do we need to tell young people that’s not how it works?” Dr Merry, Principal
The Emotional Impact on Ranking Female Classmates
Each of the 40 female students involved have been provided counselling. They must grapple with the realisation that their peers see them as objects to be ranked and judged based on their appearance. This experience can shatter self-esteem, exacerbate body image issues, and lead to long-term emotional distress. How can we expect these young women to feel safe and respected in an environment that, even momentarily, condones such disrespect?
But it’s not just the targeted girls who are affected. What about their classmates who were not explicitly listed and who are now wondering what people think of them? The ripple effect of this incident is profound, affecting everyone who now feels uncertain or unsafe in what should be a nurturing educational environment.
Principal’s Strong Condemnation
Dr. Mark Merry, the principal of Yarra Valley, didn’t hesitate to condemn the offensive behaviour. He called it “disgraceful” and emphasised that the school’s ethos is based on mutual respect, making the incident particularly shocking for both staff and students.
“As a parent, I find it absolutely outrageous, shameful, and offensive. As a principal, I have to take decisive action in response to this,” Dr. Merry said.
He expressed his outrage at the spreadsheet’s categorisation, particularly the use of the term “unrapable.” He stressed the need to ensure the well-being of the girls targeted, indicating that swift and effective measures would be taken to rebuild trust and support these students. His response demonstrates his understanding of the deeper harm this incident has caused and the necessity for schools to address these issues head-on.
“When it was brought to my attention, I just could not believe that anyone could a) objectify our young women like that, they’re their fellow students like that and b) be so cruel,” he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday.
“We’re attempting to pick up the pieces now. What has been said can’t be unsaid and now we’re facing the consequences of it here at the school.”
Dr. Merry expressed particular outrage at the final category on the spreadsheet, using the derogatory term “unrapeable” to describe some of the girls. He emphasised that his top priority is the well-being of the girls who were targeted.
“I want to ensure they feel safe and supported by the school,” Dr. Merry said, indicating the need for swift and effective measures to address the situation and prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Larger Ramifications
The issue at Yarra Valley High School is not an isolated one; it reflects a broader societal problem. Until we challenge and change the underlying attitudes that lead to this kind of behaviour, we will continue to see the same patterns repeating themselves. The time for action is now, and it begins with a commitment to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces for everyone.
Victoria, the Education State?
Victoria’s self-coined reputation as the “Education State” implies a commitment to providing quality education, fostering safe learning environments, and promoting the holistic development of its students. However, when a group of students from an exclusive private school engages in such degrading behaviour, it calls into question the efficacy of the educational and cultural systems in place.
Are schools adequately addressing issues of sexism, objectification, and cyberbullying? Are they preparing students to be not just academically successful but also socially responsible and empathetic? This incident suggests that there’s a gap between the state’s aspirations and the reality on the ground.
Schools need robust programs that teach students about respect, consent, and the consequences of harmful behaviour. Additionally, educators and administrators must be equipped to deal with incidents like this swiftly and effectively, with a clear emphasis on supporting the victims and promoting a culture of mutual respect.
The internet speaks out
A Reddit thread has weighed in on the actions of these boys and found them despicable. Many of them hitting the nail on the head including:
“You know how, there’s this whole violence against women in the home thing, it’s about respect, and the lesson starts here” Unusualbran
The comment thread began promising with people calling out this behaviour but quickly devolved into people defending, justifying, and making light of violence against women.
And while I would like to be shocked by this downturn, sadly, as a woman who has been targeted in comment threads and private messages, I am not.
Where Do We Go From Here?
This recent incident has spotlighted the entrenched misogyny and apathy that contribute to Australia’s escalating violence against women. This behaviour is reminiscent of the “scoreboards” seen in teen/college comedies and echoes the notorious Facebook yearbook rating debacle, demonstrating a broader societal problem where women are objectified and devalued.
The swift suspension of the boys involved might seem like a sufficient response, but the underlying attitudes that led to this incident require deeper scrutiny. Such actions normalise objectification and dehumanisation, fostering a culture where women are judged solely on their appearance or perceived “value” to men. These toxic attitudes are not unique to this Melbourne school; they reflect a broader cultural issue that feeds into the rising rates of violence against women in Australia.
Addressing this problem goes beyond school disciplinary actions; it requires a fundamental change in how we teach respect and equality from an early age, both in schools and at home. Parents and teachers need to challenge the normalisation of misogyny and make sure that harmful behaviours are not just punished but prevented. This incident at Yarra Valley High School should be a wake-up call, urging us to address the current attitude towards sexism and objectification.
If we are to combat violence against women, we must tackle the mindset that allows these actions to seem acceptable in the first place. It means rethinking how we talk about relationships, consent, and respect in classrooms and around the dinner table.
The path forward involves penalising bad behaviour and fostering a culture where women are valued for who they are, not how they’re ranked on a spreadsheet. By addressing these issues at their roots, we can begin to create a society where violence against women is not just condemned but actively eradicated.
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