THERE are advertisements currently screening on television that talk to the heart of this week’s issue involving Eddie McGuire.
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By now, most would have seen them. They start with a young boy, treating a young girl badly – and then we hear excuses being made for his behaviour. He is only doing it ‘because he likes her’. Then we see an adult woman, being abused and making excuses for the man’s behaviour – ‘he loves me’ she says. It is those messages – ‘he only did it because he likes you’ and ‘boys will be boys’ or ‘it was just a joke’ that lead to deeply held attitudes and beliefs where women and not treated equally by men. And we need to stop them before it starts. Which is what the ads are designed to do. They’re targeted at influencers – and that’s where people in football circles come in. For so many young people, coaches are mentors. Leaders in the football world are mentors.
Yet, our football culture has a way to go before it becomes a leader in changing the sexist and degrading attitudes towards women. In the past week, we saw progress – a commitment to a women’s AFL competition and a White Ribbon game played in recognition of the need to prevent men’s violence against women and children. Yet, we also saw leading football identities such as Eddie McGuire make comments about a female sports journalist that incited violence and demeaned her on the basis of gender.
For anyone to suggest we are losing our sense of humour, or not focusing on the important issues of the day, is beyond comprehensible. What those football identities did was not humorous. They are leaders in their field, and they just told every young person who looks up to them that it’s okay to behave that way. To late offer a shallow apology is not good enough.
We need to start respecting the research, understanding the experts and importantly, listening to the voices of women and children. Australia has some of the most comprehensive and credible research into the link between sexism and violence against women and children. The Bendigo Advertiser will explore some of this research later this week. More than one woman a week is killed by her partner or former partner each year in Australia. Many, many more are harmed - physically, psychologically, financially or otherwise. Many, many in our community are living in fear today.
Could there be any more important issue of the day?
Nicole Ferrie, editor
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, phone 000