From the classroom to the locker room: nine days of ‘deeply disturbing’ sexual assault allegations shake Australia

Spaces where there are norms of sexism and high levels of alcohol consumption can be a risk factor for sexual violence, expert says Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast For the fourth time that week, youth advocate and educator Daniel Principe stood in a classroom and asked the same question: Are female teachers respected as much as male ones? “The boys unanimously said no,” Principe says. “If that is the case, why is this rewarded in some pockets of boy culture? Being callous and cruel and intimidating to women is being rewarded.” From primary schools to universities, he steps into a classroom every day to have conversations about respect and violence. When he asks the boys if they’ve seen content that says degrading things about women – that they’re gold diggers, that they should be in the kitchen, that they all cheat – 90% of them put their hands up. “Some of these social norms and gendered stereotypes have, of course, existed prior to this moment, but they’re just inflamed right now,” he says. “There is more social reward for acting this out.” Outside the classrooms, five Sydney Swans players might have been in the spotlight, but

Aug 21, 2026 → Aug 29, 2026