|
Gaybriel
|
front bottom: The Movie[1][2] was a 2006 DVD produced by a group of Melbourne based high school students who refer to themselves as "The Teenage Kings of Werribee".[3] The film, depicting graphic violence and degradation of people in the Werribee area of Victoria, Australia, caused widespread controversy after excerpts were broadcast by television current affairs program Today Tonight on October 23, 2006, and led to a police investigation about the content.
[edit] Background Believed to have been filmed in June 2006, the DVD shows twelve boys - all aged under 18 - making chlorine bombs, harassing a homeless man, throwing eggs at taxi drivers, participating in fights at local parties, and also shows media coverage of incidents that they claim to have been involved in.[3] Most controversially, the footage depicts the group assaulting and humiliating a 17-year-old girl, who has a condition described by The Age as a "mild development delay".[3] Several of the boys were filmed urinating on the girl, setting her hair on fire, forcing her to participate in sexual activity, and also throwing items of her clothing into the Werribee River, where the incident took place. During this time, one boy approaches the camera and states, "What the f---, she's the ugliest thing I've even seen."[3] The girl had previously communicated with two of the boys using MSN Messenger, and had arranged to meet them at a Werribee shopping centre; when she arrived, the group of twelve walked with her to the Werribee River.
It is alleged that the group posted segments of the DVD on YouTube during 2006, with a video entitled Pimp My Wife viewed over 2500 times.[3] On October 25, the video was removed from the website "due to terms of use violation."[4]
On 29 October rumours emerged of a sequel, titled CTM2, which apparently depicts some of the youths involved in the first DVD breaking into houses, smashing property, and defecating into kettles and cups. [5]
[edit] Police response Detective Inspector Simon Clemence of Victoria Police's sexual crimes unit stated that the incident was being investigated: "At this stage I think it would be fair to say it is a rape and some indecent assaults as well. We have taken a statement from the girl and she states quite categorically that she was not a willing participant on what occurred on that particular occasion and that confirms the basis of the offence. At this stage the primary offence is the sexual offence and that's a serious sexual assault we are investigating."[6]
Of the DVD itself, he said: "It is quite disturbing, very disturbing actually. I can tell you I have seen the video and there is no humour in it. The girl is the victim of a serious crime, she's very traumatised, the parents are very traumatised, and anyone who thinks this is a bit of a joke perhaps must have a good look at themselves."[6]
The parents of three boys allegedly involved approached police, asking that their sons be formally questioned as part of the investigation. The move followed a police raid on the home of one of the group's members.[7]
On March 7, 2007, eight youths were charged[8] over the DVD and appeared in the Melbourne Children's Court on April 27, 2007 on charges of assault, manufacturing child pornography and procuring sexual penetration by intimidation.
Eight of the youths pleaded guilty and are likely to avoid prison, instead being required to participate in a sexual offenders program.[9] Four other youths who intend to challenge the charges will face court in September.
On 05 November 2007, all eight of the boys involved (aged between 15 and 17 at the time of offending) were ordered to participate in a rehabilitation program for male adolescents about positive sexuality. Seven had convictions recorded against them. Six were placed on youth supervision orders for between 12 and 18 months and two on probation for 12 months.[10]
|