Two high school students have been suspended after sexually explicit, digitally-generated AI images of teenage girls were circulated online.
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The images allegedly involved formal photos of female students from Gladstone Park Secondary College, in Melbourne's north-west, police said.
The images had been inappropriately manipulated using artificial intelligence technology before being released online.
Two year 11 students have been suspended over the incident.
Victoria Police is currently working to establish the number of victims.
Detective Sergeant Simor Garner said in a press conference the incident was "disturbing".
He said police had not yet interviewed the two students who had been suspended over the alleged incident as they had been unable to locate them.
Detective Garner said no other school other than Gladstone Park Secondary School was involved.
He would not comment on how many images were produced and disseminated but described the images as "vulgar".
"This is a very serious offence, we are talking about images of production, possession and distribution of child exploitation material," he said.
A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said that "misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour" was "unacceptable".
"Gladstone Park Secondary College has taken appropriate disciplinary action, and wellbeing support has been offered to any student that needs it," the spokesperson said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the incident was "appalling".
"Young girls and women deserve to feel safe and respected in the classroom, in any room, in any community across our state," she said.
"And this behaviour breaches that trust, breaches that respect, and it holds not just women and girls back, but it holds boys and men back too."
Anyone with information that could assist detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Gladstone Park Secondary College was contacted for comment.
Support is available for those who may be distressed:
- Phone Lifeline 13 11 14
- Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- beyondblue 1300 224 636
- 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732
Carla Mascarenhas
Carla Mascarenhas is a journalist with Explore Travel and The Senior. She specialises in deep issues affecting Gen X and beyond, and the latest in travel news. Contact her on carla.mascarenhas@austcommunitymedia.com.au
