The prestigious Scots College in Sydney is embroiled in a deepening scandal following the alleged sexual assault of a young girl, which has led to the arrest of three teenage boys and a series of concerning developments within the school community. Accused students are reportedly facing vigilante-style threats, with one family forced to flee their Sydney home and another student placed on suicide watch.
The alleged assault occurred in an alley in Bondi Junction on July 22. Three boys, aged 13 and 14, were subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault in company and aggravated sexual touching of another person.
Insiders claim that a secret TikTok group was created by students to plot "payback" against the accused. According to a source, the homes of all three accused boys have been vandalized, and at least one sibling has received harassing messages, leading to the shutdown of their social media accounts. The source also stated that the group was planning to raid the homes of the accused, prompting police to conduct drive-bys. One of the accused boys' families has reportedly left the state due to fear.
All three boys have been suspended from Scots College, where annual fees exceed $50,000. Parents have expressed frustration with the school's initial lack of communication regarding the allegations. Some parents are reportedly concerned that their children are being unfairly associated with the accused and that the school's reputation has been damaged. The source indicated that "lots of kids knew about the incident for weeks before the school did anything" and that some students were aware of impending arrests.
Scots College principal Dr. Ian Lambert and chairman Glen Pather issued a statement acknowledging the situation, asserting that sexual violence is unacceptable and inconsistent with the college's standards. They noted that the alleged events occurred away from the college and outside of school hours. The school has stated that staff are engaging with students in age-appropriate ways to discuss consent, dignity, and relationships, with additional support offered to those affected.
Police executed search warrants at homes connected to the investigation, seizing electronic devices, replica firearms, laser pointers, and a license plate. These items are undergoing forensic testing. The arrested teenagers have been granted strict conditional bail and are scheduled to appear in children's court on August 25. This incident marks a significant crisis for the 133-year-old institution.