Sickening new details have emerged following a serious bullying incident at a prestigious Sydney university residence.
Ben Fordham revealed new information about the incident at the University of Sydney’s St Paul’s Residential College on his 2GB show on Wednesday.
Six male college students were expelled and 21 others were suspended.
“Last Monday, a group of second-year male students at St Paul’s decided to hold a mock trial on a fellow student,” Fordham said.
“The group that organized it invited people to attend,” he said.
Fordham said the “trial” took place in a meeting room on the ground floor.
“In the Kangaroo Court there were students posing as judges, defense lawyers and prosecutors.”
Fordham revealed detailed evidence against the defendant to the students and “built a case” for the boy to be “verbally abused.”
Six male students were expelled and a further 21 were suspended over “humiliating type behaviour” which occurred at St Paul’s College (pictured) last week.
“At first, I was told it was light-hearted and the victim was okay with it, but then things started to get worse,” Fordham said.
“The student judge returned a guilty verdict.”
‘The victim started talking and the judge yelled, “Gag the defendant!”‘
It is understood the item used to silence the victim was a sex toy purchased from an adult store.
“While the victim was gagged, the sick mob verbally abused him and when it was over, the students cleaned the meeting room and continued with their day,” Fordham said.
St Paul’s principal Dr Ed Loane said the college was providing support to the victim.
“The university has been shocked and deeply disappointed that some of our students have seriously bullied another student within their friend group,” Dr Loane said.
“Our response, upon learning of this and conducting a thorough investigation, has been to remove the perpetrators and suspend bystanders who did not intervene.”
He said all students receive training on how to prevent harassment and bullying when they enter college.
“We will review and strengthen this training and continue to ensure we do everything we can to provide a safe and respectful community.”
Bullying and bullying awareness and prevention training programs are delivered by external providers to all new students at the university.
The programs also cover the appropriate use of social media.
Around 420 students attend the university and it is one of six residential colleges at the University of Sydney.
The university became coeducational in 2023.
St Paul’s College principal Dr Ed Loane said they will review their existing anti-bullying and harassment training programs following the incident (file image pictured).
The institution offers a “comprehensive college experience within a caring and supportive community,” according to its website.
Professor Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education at the University of Sydney, told Daily Mail Australia that student wellbeing is the university’s top priority.
Professor Wright said the university is working with St Paul’s to ensure they are taking additional measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of students.
“We fully understand the seriousness of the matter and have conveyed our deep disappointment to St Paul’s,” Professor Wright said.
“While our affiliated residential colleges are independent, we strive to work closely together when issues arise and our student welfare team offers appropriate support.”
The latest incident comes after a damning 2018 review by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderik into the culture at St Paul’s.
The report revealed that the students ate sheep hearts during their initiation and celebrated their sporting victories by taking the girls to a “bone room” filled with mattresses.