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Sections in this issue outline (in order):
1. What they said. 2 The issue at a glance. 3 Background. 4 Internet information links. 5 and 6 Arguments for / against. 7 Further implications on this issue. 8 Newspaper items used in the compilation of the outline.
Rape allegations: is there a misogynistic culture in male sporting codes?
What they said ...
'On a per capita basis you will find more unacceptable behaviour in male sport than in the general community. It needs a change of image and culture at the top of the sports, and the problem is that the people at the top are often former players who've grown up in the culture'
Sports psychologist, Jeff Bond
'Please don't tarnish our 640-player group by the allegations against one or two of our players. The fact of the matter is ... that our footballers in general ... are great leaders in this community and should be viewed that way'
The ALF's chief executive, Andrew Demetriou
The issue at a glance
In February 2004 it was reported that the New South Wales police were investigating the alleged assault of a 20-year-old woman at a Coffs Harbour resort where members of the National Rugby League (NRL) team, the Canterbury Bulldogs were staying.
This is the second year running that Bulldogs members have faced rape allegations arising from incidents at the same resort in the lead-up to the National Rugby League season.
Then early in March 2004 rape allegations were made against two players from another NRL club, Melbourne Storm.
Later in the same month allegations of sexual assault were made against two players who are members of the Australian Football league (AFL) team St Kilda.
The St Kilda allegations were revealed on the same day that SBS television aired unrelated claims by an unnamed woman that she was raped several years ago by a group of men including a prominent AFL footballer.
This series of rape allegations has led to a major media debate on the sexual attitudes and supposed misogyny present in many male sporting codes. The codes concerned have veered between defending their sports against these allegations or stressing the measures they have taken to ensure that players off-field behaviour is appropriate.
Internet Information
On February 26 2004 Radio National's AM program reported that Canterbury Bulldogs were reviewing their code of conduct with a view to introducing curfews, security guards and early return from away matches.
A full transcript of an interview with club officials can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1053586.htm
The Canterbury Bulldogs page can be on the National Rigby league site can be found at http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/index.cfm?TeamID=2
The Bulldogs' page has an archive of news articles relevant to the club. This includes numerous articles dealing with the current rape allegations and the club's response.
The Canterbury Bulldogs Supporters' site can be found at http://bulldogs.rleague.com/news.php?id=15032
The site includes at least two articles, one a Bulldogs' press release and the other a statement from the club's board of directors, which relate to the assault alleged to have occurred at Coffs Harbour earlier this year.
St Kilda's Internet site can be found at
The club's news archive includes a number of items related to the allegations made against two of its players.
The archive can be found at http://saints.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=archive
Below are details of three of the items it contains.
One refers to the inclusion of one of the players in the side to play Geelong and to a discussion of the support and counselling they had received since the allegations were made. This article can be found at http://saints.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=139661
Another refers to the continued support of one of the club's sponsors despite the allegations. This can be found at http://saints.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=139711
There is also the original media release the club put out in response to the allegations. This can be found at http://saints.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=138540
On March 19, 2004, Radio National's PM reported allegations that several years ago 'hush money' had been paid to a woman claiming to have been raped by two AFL players.
A full transcript of this program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1069962.htm
On March 24 2004 The Bulletin published a detailed analysis and comment on the rape allegations made against NRL and AFL players. It is titled 'The Shame Game' and is written by Patrick Carlyon and Julie-Anne Davies.
Overall it is highly critical of the culture it claims exists in both codes. It can be found at http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/All/706DA7E06F602E15CA256E5E0076DD88
Background
A number of allegations of sexual abuse or rape have been raised about either NRL or AFL players over recent years.
In 2000, a Brisbane player was accused of raping a woman in London and two West Coast players were DNA tested after allegations of sexual assault. No charges were laid in either case.
Another woman also claimed to have been raped by a Port Adelaide player and a former Sydney Swans and Brisbane player in August 2000. Charges were not brought and the woman began civil proceedings before being paid $200,000 by the Port Adelaide player and a St Kilda player who was present when the alleged offence occurred.
In 2002 a West Australian woman claimed that a former Australian Rules player had abused her over a long period of time. Four WA police officers have said they were pressured by a senior officer to stop investigating her claims.
In 2003 Bulldogs players were investigated over the alleged sexual assault of a 42-year-old woman at the same Coffs Harbour resort where it is alleged an assault occurred this year.
The Bulldogs players were cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to the 2003 allegations.
Though no sporting association appears to have specific restrictions or recommendations regarding sexual conduct in its code of behaviour, the vast majority of AFL and NRL clubs have education programs in place to instruct their players on appropriate social and sexual conduct. This includes information on what the players legal situation would be in a variety of sexual/social scenarios.
Arguments against the supposed existence of a misogynistic culture in male sporting codes
1. The supposed assaults are either alleged or the charges raised against players have been dismissed
It has been noted that the most recent supposed assaults of which players have been accused are currently all only allegations and yet many sections of the media are reacting as though these charges have been proved. The former manager of the Canterbury Bulldogs, Mr Garry Hughes, has made this point.
Mr Hughes has said, 'We're painted as a club full of rapists and we haven't even had a chance to present any facts ... If you read the papers or listened to a radio or watched the television in the last few days, that's all it says - there's six rapists in the Canterbury club. That's been made as a statement of fact. Every now and again the word "alleged" has been used.'
It an article published in The Herald Sun on March 27 2004 Mike Sheahan commented, 'In the current climate, guilt often seems to be assumed before it is proven. Sadly, massive damage is done to all victims before the legal process is completed.'
2. Whole sporting codes are being condemned because of the alleged misbehaviour of a small number of men
It has also been noted that even if the alleged sexual assault charges are proved, they still involve a small minority of players in a minority of clubs. They should not be grounds for accusing a whole club, let along a whole sporting culture of being misogynistic.
The ALF's chief executive, Andrew Demetriou, pleaded during an ABC interview, 'Please don't tarnish our 640-player group by the allegations against one or two of our players. The fact of the matter is, I will say to you, that our footballers in general, in the main - and I'll say their names, the Vosses, the Hirds, the Buckleys and others - are great leaders in this community and should be viewed that way.'
Similarly, Age commentator, Caroline Wilson, noted in an opinion piece published on March 18, 'Whether or not the two St Kilda footballers have committed the sex crime they have been accused of, every AFL player is now tarnished by the revelation that men who will not even share water bottles for fear of illness during the season, are prepared to share women.'
There are currently three sets of allegations attracting media attention, two involving NRL clubs and one involving an AFL club. 'Incidents' claimed to have occurred in previous years are now resolved, generally because charges were not proceeded with due to insufficient evidence. The fact that the woman or women involved may then have received payment from players to sign a confidentiality agreement does not alter the fundamental situation that small numbers of players are known to have been involved and most have not had charges brought against them.
3. The criticism of male athletes is hypocritical; misogyny and sexual exploitation occur in many other areas
It has been claimed that misogyny and a readiness to coerce women into sex is not a product of any particular sporting culture but is a more general feature of our society.
In a letter published in The Age on March 22 2004, Daniel Parsons claims, 'It is not just the "footy culture" that encourages Australian men to view women as sexual objects. These footy sex scandals are ... a wake-up call to Australian society as a whole: how do men view women and sex?'
In another letter published in the Age on March 22, Christine Hill notes, 'The extent that the media has continued to highlight reports of and comment on alleged sexual abuse in football clubs, while last Monday's report on doctor abuse ("Bid to curb doctor sexual behaviour", The Age, 15/3) has gone virtually unnoticed, disturbs me greatly.'
It has been claimed that it is misleading and artificial to look for the causes of misogyny in a particular sporting culture when it is a general societal problem.
4. Footballers and other male athletes face extraordinary pressures and demands
It has been claimed that poor behaviour on the part of some sportsmen does not grow out of misogyny, but is a response to the pressures they face.
Damien Foster, who coaches elite sportsmen in 'life skills', has claimed, 'Most men want to play elite sport because they have the physical skills to play it well and they love the game. But I have met very few who have anywhere near the life skills necessary to survive where football may take them. And that, in a nutshell, is the problem.'
Foster asks, 'If we lock up all the offending players do we really grow as a community?' Foster appears to be arguing that the problem is not misogyny per se and that an educative approach should be adopted in addressing it.
Germaine Greer has argued, 'The footballers' situation is the most precarious of all. As the last in the pecking order, after club owners, directors and managers, players are denied adult status. They are "boys'" to be bought and sold, transferred or dropped or left on the bench ... Their survival depends on luck and is as fragile as a hamstring. Much of the concerted misbehaviour that ends in catastrophe begins as an attempt to discharge accumulated tension ...'
5. Some female supporters behave in a misleading manner
It has been claimed that some female supporters act in a sexually aggressive manner that makes it hard for players to recognise what is the appropriate way to behave. Some players may believe that the woman concerned has consented to sexual relations when this is not the case.
Tim Watson reported the following stories in a report published in the Age on March 18 2004. Mr Watson has written, 'An AFL coach told me only hours after the Saints' story broke of a club trip to the country in the past six weeks. Upon arrival the coach spelt it out to the players they were on a training trip and that even though they would be socialising at different stages, alcohol was prohibited.
On the first night in the town, the players and officials were welcomed at a function where the players mingled with the locals. A couple of girls made it clear to everyone that they were keen to attract the attention of a couple of the players. One girl was so convinced of her intentions she sidled up to the coach to explain to him what she planned to do later in the night to one of his players.
The team left the function as a group and went back to the hotel without the adoring fans. At 2am they were woken up by loud banging on doors by the girls from the function. A senior player eventually convinced the girls they were in the wrong place and that they should head home.
An almost identical story about another club sent to the country has also been relayed to me in the past 24 hours. Again, players were woken in their hotel rooms in the early hours of the morning, and subject to determined, but unwanted, advances.'
6. Sports have standards or codes of conduct prohibiting violent, aggressive or irresponsible off-field behaviour
It has been noted that the professionalism demanded by most clubs (NRL or AFL) strongly discourages players from behaving inappropriately off-filed..
In an article published in The Age on February 27 2004 Martin Blake noted in relation to the AFL, 'Certainly, the drinking culture has changed in the age of professionalism.'
Hawthorn football manager John Hook was quoted saying that the ramifications for players of alcohol-related misbehaviour and sexual misconduct would be too great. "I don't think it would happen but if it did, we'd be peeved about it," he said.
Blake has claimed, 'Many AFL players don't drink at all in-season; others drink a little after a game, but not on weekdays.'
'The players self-discipline ...' Hook has said.
The NRL has its own code of conduct that prohibits players indulging in any conduct that would bring the game into disrepute. In addition most NRL clubs have an internal codes of conduct. The Canterbury Bulldogs established theirs after some of their players were accused of sexual misconduct over twelve months ago.
These codes are apparently quite rigorous. As part of the club's response to the current accusations, players who attended police interviews not appropriately dressed were given a $5,000 suspended fine. One player was actually fined $5000 and another was fined $10000.
Though the club has supported its players up to this point, it has made it very plain that any player found guilty of these charges will no longer be a member of the team. The club is also considering further extending its penalty and management options to include player curfews, security personnel accompanying players while travelling, early return from away matches and mentoring and leadership training. This is all in response to acknowledged violations of the club's code of conduct at Coffs Harbour. The club's manger has been sacked apparently for not having implemented the club's conduct code with sufficient rigour and the club's chief executive has resigned.
Arguments supporting the existence of a misogynistic culture in male sporting codes
1. The all-male competitive ethos in these codes encourages inappropriate sexual attitudes and a disregard for women.
In a letter published in The Age on April 11, 2004, Marg D'Arcy, 'this culture of male bonding through sex and alcohol' that existed in so many male sporting codes.
Germaine Greer made a similar point in an article published in The Age on March 12 2004. Ms Greer claimed, 'If a sporting opportunity for sex of any kind arises, sportsmen will go for it, especially if their mates, who are also their rivals for places in the team, are looking on, daring them, chivvying them, winding them up.'
Damien Foster, who coaches elite sportsmen in 'life skills', has observed the same tendencies in male sporting codes. Mr Foster wrote in an article published in The Age on March 12 2004, 'When a footballer has sex with a girl, on most occasions the ritual has very little to do with the girl. He wants to be liked by his peers and he imagines that the more girls he gets, the more his share price will rise within the group ... In the world of professional football, the No. 1 tribal position will usually fall to the man with the most raw sporting talent. But following close behind will be the men who can pull any girl they want.
It's really quite simple. Be good at one or be good at the other. A few but not many are blessed with both abilities.'
2. The combination of youth, celebrity and wealth encourages poor behaviour
Pamela Bone in an article published in The Age on March 12 noted, 'It is not good for young men to receive such a degree of public adulation and financial reward for nothing but an ability on the sports field; unless they are of very strong character it is liable to go to their heads.'
According to this line of argument the prestige and financial rewards heaped upon competitive sportsmen is likely to give them an inflated sense of their own entitlement. This can flow over into the area of sexual relations so that they are unwilling to accept a rejection from a young woman. Their inflated sense of entitlement might also lead them to indulge in predatory and exploitative sexual behaviour.'
In a letter published in The Age on March 19 2004 Anna Bowen wrote, 'In sport, we see glorification of elite athletes giving rise to inflated egos. Athletes not accustomed to handling the adulation are prone to exploiting it.'
Rex Condon made the same point in a letter also published in The Age on March 19 2004. Mr Condon wrote, 'It's easy to see why men engaged in well-publicised sports think they are bullet-proof when it comes to forcing women into sexual favours. We laud them, give them special status in the media, treating them as larger-than-life heroes - it's little wonder they start to think they're different. The classic group dynamics of young males initiated into a world where anything goes: oodles of money, backslapping hedonistic fishbowl lifestyle, with no thought of any tomorrow.'
3. Camaraderie discourages those not involved in violence against women from informing on those who are
It has been claimed that team loyalty is a strong force prohibiting players not involved in sexual misconduct from informing on others who are.
Germaine Greer has told the story of an American baseball player who in 1970 published a book recounting the various transgressions, sexual and otherwise, of his teammates. Greer claims the man's 'treachery was bitterly resented'. He was dropped from the team the year the book was published and was not re-signed for another seven years.
4. Many male players have an exploitative attitude toward female supporters and groupies.
In a letter published in The Age on March 22 2004 a young woman told of her own disillusioning experience as a former football fan. 'I was a dedicated and adoring fan of a Melbourne club during the '80s and early '90s. I effectively grew up there. I knew many of the players well - and many of them knew me. They drove me home, asked about my family, told me "inside" secrets, signed me into the social club. Lots of things that made an admittedly naive teenager feel pretty important.
When I turned 17, one of these players, drunk and hyped up after a "players revue", propositioned me. He was married with children and someone I'd known - or thought I'd known - since I was 13. I worshipped him, but not like that. He was like a big brother ...
This is the enormous double standard facing women in football: when I was a young teenager, frequent and visible support at the club was applauded and encouraged. The moment I was "of age" the exact same dedicated level of support became questionable. I was the same person. There for the same reasons. But suddenly I was "asking for it".'
It has also been claimed that some players appear to have no respect for women who are prepared to have sex with an individual member of the team. The group perception appears to be that any woman prepared to have casual sex with one of their number should be prepared to have sex with any of them. It has been claimed that this attitude has lead players forcing women into group sex in situations that effectively constitute rape.
5. Clubs tend to rally behind players accused of misconduct toward women
It an article published in The Herald Sun on March 27 2004 Mike Sheahan commented, 'There are dozens of players at more than a dozen clubs who have been saved embarrassment and legal proceedings by club officials prepared to buy silence.'
It has frequently been claimed that clubs are prepared to buy their players out of trouble, either by giving them money if they do not proceed with pressing charges or if charges have been dismissed, paying the women concerned to remain quiet about the incidents.
On March 18, Age commentator, Caroline Wilson, wrote, 'The truth is that football clubs have almost always in the past covered up serious sex allegations. And treated them with horrifying disdain. Just look at the example of the senior player rumoured to have assaulted a woman two decades ago who later won himself a humorous nickname because of it.'
Similarly, in an article published in The Australian, sports psychologist Jeff Bond stated that individual clubs establish a culture where they protect and forgive their players.
Bond has argued that the problem is fostered by an indulgent attitude from club administrations made up of former players with similar attitudes. He has written, 'On a per capita basis you will find unacceptable behaviour in male sport more than in the general community. It needs a change of image and culture at the top of the sports, and the problem is that the people at the top are often former players who've grown up in the culture.'
6. Clubs have paid too little attention to their players' off-field behaviour
It has been claimed that sporting codes have a damagingly narrow focus on their players' sporting training and that other aspects of their behaviour receive scant attention.
It has been suggested, for example, that all the ALF's attempts to moderate players' off-field behaviour have been forced on the League in response to players' poor conduct and the attendant media attention.
The South Australian Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul Rofe, stated in 2000 that the AFL and clubs need to look at the players' code of conduct as it relates to off field behaviour. Mr Rolfe reiterated these comments in March 2004 in response to the current AFL rape allegations. He further said that in an earlier allegation neither the AFL nor the club concerned had treated the woman making the allegation with appropriate respect.
Further implications
It has been suggested that both within the NRL and the ALF the allegations of rape made against some players may actually serve to draw the effected teams together. St Kilda's coach has referred to the allegations having a 'galvanising' effect. It remains to be seen what effect, if any, the allegations will have on the clubs gate takings and membership numbers.
The rape allegations levelled at six players from the NRL team, Canterbury Bulldogs, are reported to have had an immediate impact on the public relations standing of the club.
A number of sponsors and charities are rumoured to be going to end their association with the Canterbury Bulldogs because of the impact of the scandal. The 7.30 Report has claimed that the Bulldogs have lost over $1 million in sponsorship since the allegations were made.
The NSW Education Department has cancelled an annual Rugby league schools extravaganza, scheduled to be held at Sydney's Olympic Stadium ahead of a Bulldogs match in late April.
It has further been suggested that the only way the Canterbury Bulldogs are likely to regain their brand viability and again attract sponsors is if they change their name. It remains to be seen if the club considers the situation sufficiently dire to take this move.
Following on the allegations, the Bulldogs' football manager was sacked and the club's chief executive resigned. The Bulldogs have announced that they will be reviewing their code of conduct to determine whether it needs to be altered to include additional 'protocols' to help players behave appropriately in sexual/social situations.
So far as the AFL club, St Kilda, is concerned, two of its major sponsors have indicated that they wish to be kept informed of developments and may wish to review their sponsorship. However, the club's principal sponsor has indicated that it intends to stay with the three-year sponsorship arrangement it has with St Kilda.
In the immediate aftermath of the allegations against the St Kilda players, the ALF's chief executive invited any women who believed they had a complaint against any AFL player to contact the League. Twelve women are believed to have done so and two of their concerns have been passed on to the police.
There have been calls for culture change within the ALF and further education regarding players' sexual and social conduct and their legal implications. It has also been suggested that the AFL's might establish a code of conduct dealing with these areas.
It is hard to say at this point how enduring an impact the current controversy will have, but when it has so much obvious potential to alienate sponsors and supporters many club officials must be viewing with renewed urgency the measures they have in place to moderate players' off-field behaviour.
Sources
The Age
6/3/04 page 4 (Insight) analysis by Debra Jopson, 'Sex and the team player'
7/3/04 page 11 news item by Greg Prichard, 'Bulldog defends DNA refusal'
12/3/04 page 13 comment by Damien Foster, 'When an elite footballer has sex with a girl ...'
12/3/04 page 13 comment by Pamela Bone, 'How far have women come?'
18/3/04 page 1 news item by Karen Lyon and Jamie Berry, 'Saints close ranks on rape probe'
18/3/04 page 1 comment by Caroline Wilson, 'St Kilda tries to do its best in the worst of situations'
18/3/03 page 15 (Sport) news item by Rohan Connolly, 'We'll be stronger: Thomas'
18/3/04 page 15 (Sport) comment by Tim Watson, 'AFL players and the trouble zone'
19/3/04 page 12 editorial, 'AFL stars must play by society's rules'
19/3/04 page 12 letter from Anna Bowen, 'Aggressive boys and attention-seeking girls'
19/3/04 page 12 letter from Rex Condon, 'Larger than life'
21/3/04 page 1 comment by Germaine Greer, 'Ugly sex just got a lot louder'
22/3/04 page 10 letter, 'What does a young fan do when her hero hits on her?'
22/3/04 page 10 letter from Daniel parsons, 'Beyond footy'
22/3/04 page 10 letter from Christine Hill, 'Shrinking from a no less serious problem'
23/3/04 page 11 comment by Phil Cleary, 'Footy's subculture of misogyny'
28/3/04 page 4 comment by Liz Porter, 'Sex discrimination feeds footy's whore-madonna complex'
The Australian
27/2/04 page 13 comment by David Rowe, 'Sportsmen behaving badly'
6/3/04 page 1 analysis by Wayne Smith, 'Gang-bang culture part of the game'
8/3/04 page 8 editorial, 'When will they grasp that this is not a joke?'
18/3/04 page 11 analysis by Richard Yallop, 'Tackling the bloke code'
26/3/04 page 14 editorial, 'Giving footy fans a reason to believe'
The Herald Sun
8/3/04 page 19 comment by Nicola Roxon, 'Just say no more'
9/3/04 page 19 comment by Neil Mitchell, 'Good sport, bad men'
17/3/04 page 1 news item by Michael Warner and Christine Caulfield, 'Saints fight sex claims'
18/3/04 page 20 editorial, 'An insidious culture'