‘Safety in jeopardy’?

A RIVERLAND school says it is offering its full co-operation with police after a 12-year old female student was allegedly indecently assaulted on campus – yet family members of the alleged victim believe her “safety is in jeopardy”, claiming inaction and leniency.

SA Police confirmed it is continuing to investigate reports of an alleged indecent assault occurring at the school between November 2025 and February 2026, when a male student allegedly touched a female student.

The female student’s father – who will remain anonymous to protect the identity of the underage student – said the temporary suspension of the perpetrator has failed to protect his daughter, as he claims she is now experiencing escalating harassment and threats of violence.

“It began last year… it was reported to teachers, but it (has continued),” he said.

“The school has told me they have a safety plan to keep (the male student) away from my daughter, (but) he is harassing her. “(Now) we are getting phone calls from students who are friends (with the perpetrator) warning us … he is planning on hurting her – and the school is just doing nothing.”

The victim’s father said he asked the school to implement tougher measures to monitor interactions between the pair since the alleged perpetrator has returned to school – including staff supervision between class changeover – but his requests have been rejected.

“Their solution instead is to make (my daughter) walk double the distance to catch the bus (to avoid the alleged perpetrator)… and make her use a separate bathroom,” he said.

“It’s got me banging my head against a wall – I am having to report (the alleged perpetrator) nearly every second day. “…The school is effectively making the burden of safety fall on the victim.”

Most recently, when responding to reports of continued harassment and intimidation, the father claims the school directed his daughter to go home, and “admitted… they could not keep her safe”.

However, a statement from a Department for Education spokesperson states “at no point has the female student been told not to attend school”.

“The Department is aware of an incident at a Riverland school in which a male student is alleged to have (touched) a female student once...,” the spokesperson said.

“The male student was suspended and ongoing wellbeing and safety support is being provided to the female student.

“At the time of the incident the female student’s family was advised of the right to report the incident to police who are now conducting an investigation.

The school has offered police its full cooperation.”

The victim’s father said he is “terrified” for the future, and wants the school to be “held accountable for their failure to protect (his) daughter”.

“One of (my daughter’s) reasons for coming forward, is that she doesn’t want this to keep happening,” he said. “I feel like I have no options.”