Parties and young people – an important notice from Victoria Police
There is no higher priority than the safety and wellbeing of our children; for parents, for teachers and for schools. Last week I received an email from Victoria Police that schools have been asked to send out to their communities. It relates to strong police concern about a recent trend in party organisation and the safety of young men and women attending those parties.
This particularly worrying trend – known as ‘pop up parties’ – is currently occurring in Melbourne’s Eastern and South Eastern suburbs, originating via social media messaging. Victoria Police are receiving reports of crimes and harms occurring to young people (including people under 16 years old) at these events. The party details are circulated on social media, with the location of each one being advised at very short notice. The police have asked that the following is sent out to our school community under the heading of “Victoria Police concerns around harm occurring to young people”
“Dear Parents/Carers of Students (Years 7-12),
I am writing to inform you that we have received information from Victoria Police about local ‘pop-up’ parties and social gatherings being organised via social media which are unsafe for the young people attending. These parties are being hosted in private homes, abandoned buildings and public halls across south eastern and eastern Melbourne.
- Victoria Police acknowledges that many young people are also attending safe parties, however, Victoria Police strongly suggest the following, to ensure young people attend local gatherings safely:
- Talk to your children and always be mindful of where they are;
- Be vigilant around monitoring all of your child’s social media accounts (consider there may be multiple accounts) and look online at any events your child wants to attend;
- Investigate any party your child is attending, and be satisfied of where your child is and who they are with. If a party location is unknown one or two weeks prior to a party date, this may be of concern.
- Underage alcohol drinking and drug use is not recommended.
If you have any information that may assist police, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you are concerned that your child has been the victim of a sexual assault and may require support, please contact Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800 806 292.”
With our students and children’s safety in mind, this is of particular concern as we approach both the ‘schoolies’ period and of course also the regular summer holidays. Be assured that the School will contact families if we become aware of any event of concern that may potentially put Tintern students at risk and it would be helpful if similarly, any parent who becomes aware of any event of concern would inform the School by letting their Head of School know. Any information will of course be treated absolutely confidentially. Thank you for your support with this.
Factis non verbis.
Bradley Fry
Principal
