AFL's minute of silence for female victims of violence important but industry-wide change needed

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Domestic Violence News

Family Violence,Gender-Based Violence,Violence Against Women

Over the weekend, AFL clubs led a minute's silence for victims of gender-based violence in an important symbolic moment for a code that has previously failed to hold perpetrators accountable. But one coach's comments show attitudes still have a long way to go.

In minutes of silence held across the country over the weekend, opposition AFL clubs stood arm in arm to take a united stance on violence against women.The gesture was an important one from a sport that has significant sway over the Australian Zeitgeist.

Perhaps the most obvious is Wayne Carey, who in 2007 glassed his then-girlfriend in the face and neck with a wine glass, before kicking a female police officer in the mouth and elbowing another in the side of the face.Despite pleading guilty to two charges of battery of a law enforcement officer and one count of resisting arrest with violence, before being released on two years' probation without conviction, he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.

He added that he had called Carey to inform him that "being made a Legend would take away from the event and the important focus on the national response to the issue of gender-based violence against women". Young people look to AFL players, coaches and commentators as role models, and they can play a critical role in dismantling toxic cultures of masculinity.

Brown is one of a few current AFL players — alongside Zach Merrett and Jarman Impey — who have been outspoken on the issue, and he is leading the way for his counterparts.

 

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