A former John XXIII student leader has attested to claims the college fostered a culture of binge drinking, saying one "hazing" ritual there involved older students pouring "goon" down kneeling first-years' throats.
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The former senior resident gave evidence on Tuesday in an ACT Supreme Court case, in which another former Australian National University student is suing its college John XXIII for failing in its duty of care to her.
The woman says she was raped in an alleyway near Mooseheads in Canberra city during a John XXIII "pub golf" event in August 2015. Court documents say pub golf involved student leaders taping bottles of alcohol to the hands of participants, who would have to drink a certain amount to make "par".
The woman says college head Geoff Johnston blamed her for the alleged assault when she reported it afterwards. The former senior resident gave evidence on Tuesday that Mr Johnston also had a victim-blaming attitude at student leaders' training in 2016.
In court, the college has said it banned pub golf before the John XXIII residents association went ahead with anyway in 2015. But the former senior resident on Tuesday said many Australian National University students would have thought residents association events were sanctioned by the college.
The case's statement of claim said pub golf was an annual tradition at the college.
The former senior resident told the court that only a couple hours into a John XXIII-approved event called "Out the Back Day", students served themselves punch from the bar.
"There were people out the back scooping it [by 3pm or 4pm]," the former student leader said.
"It tasted pretty alcoholic to me."
The punch was meant to be served to students by a designated member of the college residents association, the former senior resident said. She said Out the Back Day in 2014 ended with students vomiting on grass outside John XXIII.
On another occasion, the former senior resident said older female students hazed first-year females in the college's administration block. She said the older students got the young women to get on their knees, and they poured goon or cask wine into the first-years' mouths.
The former senior resident said the hazing happened during a "girls' morning" before the "In the Mooseday" event. The court previously heard In the Mooseday was sanctioned by the college and took place at Mooseheads.
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"I felt like I had to [be involved in the hazing] because if I said 'no', I wouldn't have had any friends," the former student leader said.
"I was in the room when it was happening [and] I didn't do anything about it."
The former senior resident said she attended student leaders' training in 2016. Court documents said by then, the alleged victim had reported being assaulted to John XXIII College head Mr Johnston.
The former senior resident said Mr Johnston spoke to students who attended the training about sexual assault.
She told the court Mr Johnston indicated it was clear to him there was a need to address the drinking culture at John XXIII. She said Mr Johnston also told students words to the effect of: "if a woman was drunk, she would have some responsibility for sexual assault", and, "if a woman got drunk, she could not consent" to sex.
The alleged rape victim claims that when she told Mr Johnston she'd been assaulted, he blamed her for it and said words to the effect of "another concern is how you managed to get that drunk".
John XXIII's lawyers have largely rejected the woman's version of events, including her account of what Mr Johnston said. They maintain he acted properly in his handling of the woman's complaint.
The civil hearing continues.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
