Associated Incidents
FARLEY, Iowa (KCRG) - “I’m worried that every time they see me, they see those photos,” says Harper, one of four Western Dubuque Community School District students who spoke out Monday night.
The students say classmates created fake nude images of them using artificial intelligence.
“I didn’t speak up before because I was afraid of being judged by others,” says Harper. “I am speaking now because I need to fight for what is right.”
The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office says students used AI apps to make fake nude photos of several female students at Cascade High School. It’s unknown how many images were generated and the number of victims.
“Throughout all of my years of school, I could have never imagined I would be involved in a situation so disgusting and violating as this,” says Maggie, another Western Dubuque Community School District student.
Monday night, the district hosted a special session to discuss what changes should be made to school policies.
“Our hearts are bleeding with yours. This is an awful situation. We’re here to work with you to collaborate and move forward in the best way that we can, but we want to do that together,” says District Superintendent Dan Butler, noting counselors are available for students in crisis.
Parents say the Western Dubuque Community School District isn’t doing enough to protect and support their children.
“Those counselors are only available during the school day, so in order for these girls to access that, they have to make a scene and get up and leave the classroom. Does that seem like a way to protect a victim?” poses Christie, a district parent.
Emma, side-by-side with Harper and Maggie, says she hasn’t received that support, noting the district’s response to the incident is alienating.
“No one at school has talked to me or offered any counseling. I feel like we have been silenced at school, as teachers have said we aren’t allowed to talk about it at school,” explains Emma. “I put a lot of time and effort into my education and extra activities at Cascade High School. I wish I could say Cascade High School does the same for me.”
She worries about future outcomes, due to these fake images.
“I’m just starting to begin my college search and thinking about career opportunities, which is stressful enough,” says Emma. “Now, I also have to worry about how these photos might affect me during that process if these photos were to surface in an employer’s background check.”
District parents demand accountability, better communication, and a supportive environment for students, especially considering AI-generated imagery is relatively new, even to law enforcement.
“As I scroll through Facebook and Instagram this weekend and looked at all the pictures from prom and first communion, I can’t help but think that some of the pictures of your kids and your grandkids, they can all be used in the same manner that happened to our daughters,” says Stacey, a district parent. “We have to do better.”
Butler says the district will propose changes to school policy, after considering the public’s feedback.