Case Studies
These Schoolies case studies are examples of issues that can occur anytime when alcohol and drugs are involved. Check out the safety tips and advice on how to ‘be safe and watch your mates’.
Scenario 1
A group of my friends and I were drinking at the apartment we had rented during Schoolies. After we felt we were on the buzz, we decided to head down to Surfers to the beach party. We were all pretty wasted but we had already agreed on a plan to look out for each other. We were dancing on the beach, yelling and laughing - having a great time like everyone else around us.
We’d been dancing for a while when a group of older looking guys walked past and we caught their eye. They were whistling and calling out to us, so we waved them over to come and dance with us.
Remember: Think before you drink.
I started feeling really sick all of a sudden and sat down in the middle of the group. Sitting down didn’t help - my head was spinning and I puked everywhere. Everyone started laughing, but one of the guys came over and asked if I was OK. He helped me to my feet and led me away from the group to get some air. A couple of my friends started to follow to see if I was alright – he said that I just needed some space, I’d be OK and they didn’t need to worry ‘cause he’d look after me. They went back to the rest of the group and he led me over to the sand dunes. I don’t really remember much else that night. When I woke up the next day I was alone and still on the beach. I looked around and saw my bag, shoes and skirt were next to me. It really freaked me out because I don’t know what happened.
Schoolies safety tips
Know your limits. If you choose to drink alcohol, be responsible. Limit your drinks, know their strength, have water between drinks, eat something, and remember that only time will make you sober.
No means no. Unwanted or forced sexual behaviour is a crime.
Other things to consider
- Look out for your friends – don’t let them leave with someone you don’t know well – you don’t know what their motives are.
- Have a safety plan and stick to it.
- Remember that like you, most schoolies are out to have a great time and celebrate graduating high school, but not everyone deserves your trust.
- If someone is drunk or out of it, unconscious or asleep, they cannot agree to sex. Having sex with someone who can’t consent is rape, and you should report the matter to the police.
Scenario 2
My friends and I were dancing in front of the Red Frog stage at Schoolies. I met this guy, Andrew* and we started talking and dancing together. We were having a great time - he was really funny and sweet. He kissed me and we began hooking up in front of all our friends.
We had both been drinking but I wasn’t completely written off and neither was he. He said it was getting too crowded and he’d had enough and he asked if I’d like to go and hang out at his apartment. I agreed and we headed off, chatting and flirting – we had so much in common! It was a long walk so we both sobered up a bit on the way.
Remember: Know your limits.
Once we got to his apartment, we sat on the couch and he got us some soft drinks and chips. Before long, we were making out and that was cool but then he said he wanted to have sex with me. Although I was OK with kissing, hugging and touching I didn’t want to have sex with him, so I said “no”. He kept trying to talk me into it and was saying stuff like, “What did you think you came back here for? C’mon just relax, you'll enjoy it.” I kept refusing but he wasn't going to give up. He pinned me down and held my arms back. I struggled and started screaming. I heard some noises outside the door, so I started screaming louder. This guy must have heard the noise and came in to see what was going on. Andrew stopped and let go of my arms but didn't say anything. The guy at the door asked if I was OK but I couldn't speak because I was crying and shaking so much. I grabbed my bag and ran out of the apartment as fast as I could. I’ve never told anyone about what happened – I've just tried to forget about it.
* Real names have not been used
Schoolies safety tips
No means no. Unwanted or forced sexual behaviour is a crime.
Know your limits. If you choose to drink alcohol, be responsible. Limit your drinks, know their strength, have water between drinks, eat something, and remember that only time will make you sober.
Other things to consider
- If something happens to you, it is OK to tell someone.It is important to have support and have someone you can talk to.
- If you think something is not OK - don’t be afraid to check it out and ask. You could be helping someone get out of a bad situation.
Scenario 3
Nathan* and I had been friends for a while. One night during Schoolies, I went out with the girls and we ran into Nathan and his mates. He came over and I introduced him to my friends. We danced together as the girls from my circle mixed with his mates.
After a while, everyone started doing their own thing and going their separate ways. Nathan and I decided to go hang at my unit. It got really late - we were both tired and Nathan's unit was further out of town, so I said he could stay over. Nathan thought that meant he could sleep in my bed with me. When I told him he was sleeping on the couch he just laughed like it was some joke. He said, "C'mon Em*, we’re good mates." I said, “Yeah and good mates don’t sleep in each other's beds.”
He got up and walked towards the bedroom door. I thought everything was OK and he was leaving my room but he shut the door and turned off the light. I said, "Nathan, turn the light on, you idiot." He started making stupid scary noises. "Turn the light on now, Nath". He grabbed me and I screamed. We both started laughing.
Remember: No means NO!
"Ok you freaked me out, now go and get some sleep ON THE COUCH!" He started kissing my neck. I said, "Quit playing, stop it!" He kept kissing me as he reached up my dress. I started to panic and I screamed but he covered my mouth. I cried the whole time, just hoping that someone would come home…but no one did.
* Real names have not been used
Schoolies safety tips
No means no. Unwanted or forced sexual behaviour is a crime.
Other things to consider
- Be aware that most sexual violence is committed by someone you know. Sex without consent is rape, and it should be reported to the police.
- It's NEVER OK to force, manipulate or pressure someone to do sexual things they don't want to.
- The person who commits the violence is ALWAYS responsible.
Scenario 4
I'd just graduated high school. I was finally free from homework and teachers and I was heading off to Schoolies where I’d soon be free from parents too! On my first night, I met the most amazing guy, Hayden*. We clicked straight away. We were dancing and laughing together all night.
When Hayden asked if I'd like to go back to his apartment with him, I agreed because I liked him so much. Once we got back to his apartment we started kissing and eventually he asked if I wanted to have sex with him. I agreed - he was adorable and I thought I'd met the guy of my dreams!
Remember: Be prepared and be safe.
Afterwards, when we were lying together on his bed, one of his mates walked into the room. I got such a shock that I screamed and quickly sat up and grabbed the blanket. I thought Hayden would tell him to get out, but he didn't. Instead he just smiled at me and told me to relax and try something different. At first I didn’t understand what he meant but when his mate started taking his shirt off I said, "no" and tried to get out of the bed. That was when I saw another guy standing in the bedroom doorway.
I felt so scared and was afraid of what might happen next. Hayden dragged me back into the bed and had sex with me while his mates watched. When Hayden was finished with me, both his mates forced me to have sex with them one after the other. I was screaming and pleading with them to stop. I felt numb and ashamed. I cried because I thought it was my fault for saying "yes" to Hayden in the first place.
* Real names have not been used
Schoolies safety tips
No means no. Unwanted or forced sexual behaviour is a crime.
Be prepared and be safe. If you are sexually active, practise safe sex.
Other things to consider
- Consenting to sex with one person doesn’t give anyone else the right to assume they can have sex with you also.
- Sex without your consent is rape. Rape is a crime and it is NEVER your fault. You should report it to the police.
Scenario 5
It was the night of our end-of-school graduation party just prior to my friends and I leaving for Schoolies. We had spent all day doing our nails, hair and make-up and getting organised for the big night. When we arrived at the party, it was packed with people from school and other randoms that we didn't know.
We got a round of cruisers but just as we sat down, our favourite song came on, so we all had to get up and dance. We hit the dance floor and left our drinks on the table by the couches we were sitting on. When the song ended, we went back to finish our drinks. Before we could have another drink, another one of our favourite songs came on and we hit the dance floor again. We danced to a couple more songs and were having a great time, when we noticed that one of our friends was acting really drunk and falling over herself. That was strange because we'd all only had one drink! She looked really wasted so we decided to take her home. We put her to bed and stayed with her.
Remember: Drink spiking can happen.
She woke up really late the next afternoon and said she was feeling like she had a really bad hangover. When we were all talking about what happened the night before, she said that she didn't remember anything after finishing her first drink. We'd had a talk at school about drink spiking and we think that's what happened. We left our drinks near some other friends from school so we thought they'd be safe! We don't know who did it, but we're glad that we were able to get our friend home safely.
Schoolies safety tips
Drink spiking can happen. Always buy your own drink and keep it with you.
Other things to consider
- Have some strategies in place to reduce the risk of your drink being spiked, for example:
- always keep your drink with you or
- if you need to leave your drink, ask a trusted friend to watch it for you.
Scenario 6
My friends and I were all really excited about Schoolies. All six of us were sharing an apartment and decided that it would be so cool if we all had matching tops. That way if any of us got lost, we could look for the same thing. We thought this was the best idea we’d ever had!
On the first night we got ready to go into Surfers. After some drinks and putting our hot new tops on, we all walked into town arm-in-arm. We felt safe together and had a ball meeting lots of new people and exchanging phone numbers with some hotties.
After a long night we headed home and slept right through until midday. When I woke up, I had nine missed calls on my phone, all from the same number. I thought it was a little bit over the top but all the girls were saying how lucky I was because no one had called them. I just ignored the calls but then the text messages started.
The messages said stuff like, "I can't stop thinking about you" and "When can we meet up?" I decided to check out who this was, so I called the number to find out who was calling and texting me. The guy that answered said that we had met last night and he really wanted to see me again - but the more we chatted, the more he just creeped me out. I told him I wasn't interested and to stop calling me.
Remember: Police and volunteers are there to help.
That didn't work – he didn't stop calling – even though I ignored his calls, he still left messages and he started to sound more agro with each message. In one of the messages he said, "I know where you are staying." It really freaked me out and I immediately turned my phone off. I left it off for the whole day. When I turned it back on, there were heaps of missed calls and messages. I was starting to feel really scared. I even got one of my male friends to ring him and tell him to leave me alone, but it didn't make any difference. The calls continued and I was scared to go out. I just wanted it to stop so I went and stayed with friends at another apartment. Eventually it stopped but only because I got a new phone number. It really frightened me and totally wrecked my time at Schoolies.
Schoolies safety tips
Things to consider
- Phone and text messages are a great way to stay in touch with friends and talk to new ones. Unfortunately some people use them to abuse, harass and stalk. Stalking can start over the phone but can grow into physical stalking. Never give your number to anyone you don’t trust or know.
Last updated: 27 October 2008
