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Elizabeth Broderick To Lead Investigation Of Culture Of College Sexism

Remember the 'RackWeb'?
Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick is now Special Advisor for Gender Equality at the United Nations.
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Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick is now Special Advisor for Gender Equality at the United Nations.

Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will lead a joint taskforce investigating the culture within The University of Sydney's residential campuses, after female students' sexual behaviour was exploited in a college journal.

The rampant culture of sexual exploitation and heavy drinking dominated headlines in May after pages of The Wesley Journal were revealed, including the 'RackWeb'; a page dedicated to revealing the sexual relationships of young female students.

Titles were also given to female students including "Kinkiest Collegian", "Best Ass" and "Best Cleavage". And the student who slept with the most men was awarded the title, "Mrs RackWeb".

Fairfax Media revealed the appointment of Broderick to the task force on Friday, claiming the university may strip colleges of their land if they do not cooperate with the investigation.

The RackWeb in The Wesley Journal 2014
Fairfax
The RackWeb in The Wesley Journal 2014

On Monday students gathered in front of the Wesley College building, protesting for the journal editors' names to be revealed.

Wesley College Master Lisa Sutherland dissociated the college from the journal and would not release names on the public record.

St Andrews College has also been brought into the scandal with students revealing sexual activities would be broadcast over the college's PA system.

The colleges have councils independent of the university and are not required to cooperate which could lead to tensions over the task force on campus. According to Fairfax, the University of Sydney's Vice-Chanchellor, Michael Spence, has invited the heads of college councils to meet with Broderick and the Chancellor.

Since departing her role as sex discrimination commissioner Broderick is working as Special Adviser for Gender Equality at the UN, taking the Male Champions of Change program global and sitting on the Australian Rugby Union board and Australian Defence Force Gender Equality board.

It's not her first time leading an investigation, with Broderick currently working with the Australian Federal Police after investigating the Australian Defence Force gender discrimination culture following the Skype sex scandal.

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