Teenage boy, 16, is arrested after ‘vulgar’ AI-generated nude photos of female students are shared online
Police have arrested a teenage boy after photos of female students at a Year 10 formal were digitally altered in a ‘sexually explicit’ manner and shared online.
Fake nude photos of between 10 and 60 students from Gladstone Park Secondary College in Melbourne’s north-west were allegedly circulated on social media.
A search warrant was executed on Friday before a 16-year-old boy was arrested, interviewed by detectives, then released as inquiries continued.
It came after Detective Sergeant Simon Garner urged at least two Year 11 students suspended from the school to hand themselves in to police.
‘I find it quite disturbing and quite despicable,’ he told a press conference on Friday.
‘The images are quite vulgar.
‘People sometimes think they can be a joke and are unaware of the consequences they have for the people affected which can be long-lasting.’
The school gave the names of the people they believed were involved to Victoria Police on Thursday afternoon, before informing parents about the incident in an email.
At least 10 girls have had digitally altered photos of them circulated online (stock image)
A student from Gladstone Park Secondary College in Melbourne was arrested after photos of female students at a formal were altered in a ‘sexually explicit’ manner and shared online.
There could be anywhere between 10 and 60 students affected.
‘We’re urging any members of the public, if they see these images online, could they let us know,’ Det Sgt Garner said.
‘The girls and students that are involved in this are being taken care of and if any haven’t come forward they can come to us and we can get the full story of how they’ve been affected.
‘It’s very distressing and quite disturbing in relation to the young girls and the things that have happened to them.’
Det Sgt Garner said the case might not be as straightforward as it seemed.
‘We understand that there’s another side to the story in relation to the people who have done this and we’re urging them to come forward,’ he said.
‘This is a very serious offence. We’re talking about images of production, possession and distributing of child exploration material.
‘We need to find out what their motivations are.’
A Department of Education spokesperson said ‘disrespectful behaviour’ was unacceptable in any Victorian school’.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
