02/21/2002 "City schoolboys' pics posted on US gay site "

City schoolboys' pics posted on US gay site
- AAP

A furore has erupted after the discovery of a gay website containing photographs of teenage Melbourne schoolboys taken without their consent.

The site contains unauthorised images, believed to have been taken in 1999, of students from Melbourne Grammar, Xavier College and Wesley College involved in a variety of activities such as rowing and playing football.

The United States-based site makes a point of not naming those who take its pictures, declaring "all photographs are taken in public places".

"As such, there is no requirement for model releases or authorities," the site says. "The site itself complies with all United States and International laws."

The site encourages users to download images "for your own appreciation".

"Our photographers hope that you will; their motivation is that beauty should be shared and appreciated," it says.

Victoria Police Sergeant Creina (Creina) O'Grady today said police were powerless to act as no breach of the law had been found.

"Police have examined the website, and have not identified any offences," Sgt O'Grady said.

"A number of these sites, although distressing to the people involved, are not considered pornographic."

But lawyer David Galbally, QC, said that while taking the photos was legal, their placement on the internet could come under question.

"I would think that in a situation like this, where kids are photographed and then put on a gay website, that they would have a right to stop that happening," Mr Galbally told radio station 3AW.

Wesley College principal David Loader said counselling was now available for students, although those on the website had since left the school.

"I can't access it because the school has it blocked off," Mr Loader said. "I haven't seen it, so I can only talk about second-hand descriptions.

"But I understand it's not about students this year ... people have said it's about a number of students who have left Wesley, rather than students who are currently there.

"We're meeting with all of the students to say that we need their help to identify people who might be taking photographs. I think it's appalling that people are using this for their own interest."

AAP