Mum accuses uni of pressuring daughter to act nude

An angry mum has hit out at a university, accusing it of pressuring female drama students into nude acting.

According to the South Australian mother of one first year Flinders University student, the production of Trojan Barbie required some females to strip.

‘Mary’ said her 18-year-old daughter is so concerned she may quit the course.

“She felt something unacceptable and wrong about being asked to be naked and felt uncomfortable about going to class the next day,” Mary said.

Mary is also worried about potential unauthorised mobile phone photography and perceived threats.

“She feels unless she goes naked, she’s going to miss out on lead roles,” her mother said.

Flinders University is now investigating.

“Obviously we are very concerned,” Professor Julian Meyrick from Creative Arts said.

But the university said nudity is voluntary and an important part of the course.

“We’ve got to train them for the field and so we give them the option, they can always say no,” Mr Meyrick said.

Some students don’t see a problem.

“It’s ridiculous, we’re always asked first,” one student said.

Mary said the experience has been so unpleasant, her daughter may now abandon acting completely.

“She feels she’d like to give it up if this is where it’s going to continue,” Mary said.