The school administration of the Heinz-Brandt School in Berlin-Weißensee informed the school community about the incidents last Friday. In an internal letter quoted by the Morgenpost, the school administration said it was “shocked and appalled” by the misuse of the photos. The two students believed to be primarily responsible were immediately suspended from classes.
According to the school administration, the students are accused of at least three cases. The police are investigating on behalf of the public prosecutor’s office. The Senate Department for Education confirmed the incidents and the ongoing investigation to the Tagesspiegel. It stated: “We take cases of sexualized violence at schools very seriously.” The school administration acted immediately, informed the school community, and initiated disciplinary measures.
The school administration described the alleged acts as a “massive attack on the personal rights of the affected female students” and a “form of sexualized violence.” As a consequence, the school plans to revise its prevention concept and its approach to sex education. It also called on parents to talk to their children about how to handle photos of others and AI applications.
The district parents’ committee (BEA) Pankow called for swift and visible action by the school supervisory authority. It said it was “committed to ensuring teaching and a safe learning environment – this necessarily includes the digital space for our children.” The school administration acted promptly; transparency, the involvement of the school psychological and inclusive pedagogical counseling centers (SIBUZ), and the involvement of the police were important.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
