Dear Friends & Footy Fans

Like me and many of my friends, I imagine that you have been disturbed by the spate of sexual assault allegations against prominent AFL and NRL footballers. The responses from football administrations, clubs and players have largely been defensive and grossly inadequate.

For the most part, they have attempted to contain the allegations. Football clubs have relied on group silence, group denial, cover-up, spin doctoring, expensive legal advice, confidentiality agreements and the blind faith of many fans. Their tactics have increased the intrinsic obstacles facing any woman who makes the difficult decision to lay charges of group sexual assault.

The results are that no charges have been laid, few footballers have been disciplined or admitted wrong-doing and few lessons appear to have been learned. Some women's lives may already have been permanently scarred. Women who are past or future victims of sexual assault may now feel even more reluctant to lay charges against elite footballers.

The issue has cast a shadow over many fans' enjoyment of the game. It is important for us to show that decent footy fans are disturbed and angry about arrogant attitudes and inexcusable behaviour against women that appear to have become entrenched in privileged areas of football culture.

We believe that rank-and-file fans who are disgusted with the current situation will welcome the opportunity to voice their concerns and do something constructive about a basic issue of safety and respect for women.

To this end, we have organised a web site where footy fans and sympathisers can register their dissatisfaction with how football clubs and players are dealing with the issue. We want to offer solutions that recognise and attack the problem of sexual assault in football instead of trying to sweep it under the carpet.

Check it out at: www.ffasa.org/

Please read the web site, sign the petition and send comments and suggestions. Then send this email or a link onto fellow footy fans and friends who you think will agree. And if you're a member of a relevant organisation (a P&C, trade union, women's group, junior footy club, political party, Church etc.) inform your fellow members. Email
 

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