……the Today Show and criticised Brett Stewart and the culture of the NRL which seems incapable of instilling the concept of respecting women into many (not all) of its players. The emails I received afterwards were aggressive and absusive.
But then, I thought about it. And I thought about the brave women who came forward on Four Corners to tell their stories. And I thought about Sarah Fergusson, the Four Corners reporter who broke that story and compiled that astonishing investigative piece of journalism. I thought about female sports journalists like Rebecca Wilson and Carolyn Wilson who have repeatedly written passionately and courageously about the issue. And I thought about Tracey Grimshaw who, on ACA the night before her interview with Matty Johns, spoke out stridently condemning him and the culture that could allow such a thing to take place, as well as the off-hand way it was handled by her colleagues at The Footy Show during Matty Johns’ public apology last week.
And I thought to myself, THIS is why nothing ever changes. THIS is why no NRL player has ever been convicted. THIS is why this disgusting behaviour has been allowed to continue behind closed doors for so many years – decades if you believe former coach Roy Masters who told Sarah Fergusson (and Rebecca Wilson) that group sex has been a way for footy players to ‘bond’ for generations.
And I thought about how much I admire all those women for standing up and making their voices heard. And I was ashamed that I was thinking of staying silent. Not that my opinion or my comments matter much in the scheme of things. But symbolically, I felt it was something I should do.
Caroline’s feature is published in The Australian today and she has used a couple of small quotes from me but more importantly, she’s used quotes from YOU.
She visits mamamia and she read your comments and quoted from them (anonymously) with my permission.
Top Comments
Probably noone listeneing anymore but I just have to say _ Cate & TheRealSydney especially - you took the words right out of my mouth. Glad to hear voices of reason amongst the hysteria
Is this a record number of comments?