Mount Scopus teacher charged with child pornography
A member of staff of Mount Scopus Memorial College has today been arrested by Victoria Police in relation to material stored on computer equipment that allegedly was in his possession at his previous place of employment.
J-Wire understand his previous employment was Bialik College.
Principal Rabbi James Kennard told J-Wire: “Victoria Police has advised there are no contact offences alleged. He has already been suspended from his employment at Mount Scopus and will remain so until further notice.
Naturally, the safety of our students is our highest priority. Mount Scopus is committed to the highest standards of Child Protection, as reflected in rigorous policies and practices.
As at all times, we have urged any student who may feel they have been a victim of improper conduct, or who has witnessed any suspicious activity, to report this to the Victoria Police.
In accordance with advice from Victoria Police we will share with our school community all information as it becomes available publicly or otherwise approved for public release.
A police spokesperson told J-Wire: “Box Hill Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) detectives have charged a man following an investigation into child pornography and upskirting incidents at an Eastern suburbs school.
It is alleged the incidents took place between 2014 and 2017.
The 52-year-old Noble Park man has been charged with Make/Produce Child Porn and Possess Child Pornography.”
Bialik College has released the following statement: “Today, a former teacher of Bialik College, who has not worked at the College for some time, was arrested by the Victoria Police in relation to offensive material that was recently discovered on a computer that was in his possession during his employment at the College.
Bialik College has a proactive Child Protection Policy and procedures in place that includes robust screening, induction and monitoring processes. Recently, an audit of defunct computer equipment resulted in the discovery of this material. Immediately, the school notified Victoria Police, the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the teacher’s current employer. As the matter is currently under investigation by the Victoria Police, the College is not permitted to provide more information at this stage. Victoria Police has advised there are no contact offences alleged and no ongoing risk to students.
Bialik College takes its responsibility for the care and welfare of its students and those in the wider community extremely seriously.”
Principal Jeremy Stowe-Lindner issued this statement: “We place a very high level of trust in our teachers, present and past, and we are deeply shocked and upset by this situation. We will continue to be vigilant in our commitment to child safety and as in this situation, we will always immediately invoke police involvement when anything warrants it. We encourage, support and expect every member of our community to do likewise.”
The school has notified all staff, parents and alumni of the arrest and investigation; and has spoken to students who may have been taught by this teacher. The College encourages anyone who might have further information to contact the Victoria Police, a member of the school’s senior leadership team or a member of the school’s pastoral support team.
The man has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 10 August.
The police may have found “material” stored on his computer equipment but it remains to be seen if children from either school are connected.
My hope for the Jewish community is it was for his private use certianly impossible to pict up with the usual police checks.
At least he wasn’t a priest or a rabbi…………