“Disrespect does not always end in violence but violence always starts with disrespect.”
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It’s a powerful statement by former prime minister Tony Abbott at the ceremony in 2015 that awarded Rosie Batty the title of Australian of the Year.
Rosie Batty is the mother of Luke, who was beaten to death at a cricket match by his dad
This exceptional mother rose from the overwhelming grief of losing her little boy in such horrific circumstances to become an advocate for violence against women and children.
I had the privilege of hearing Rosie speak at a luncheon only two weeks ago in Hobart and she quoted Tony Abbott in her presentation.
Funnily enough, Rosie Batty was in Hobart as a guest of the AFL.
This enormous and powerful sporting organisation was, at this function, formally aligning itself with the fight to stop violence against women and to stamp out gender inequality.
But the hoo-ha and grand-standing was completely undone this past week when this sporting giant stood by silently as some of the games big names publically “joked” they would like to hold a female journalist underwater at the MCG and would indeed pay thousands of dollars for the privilege.
That female journalist is Caroline Wilson – an awarding winning, straight shooting football 'journo' who says it as she sees it.
Three men, holding one woman under water because they don’t like what she has to say!
And then in horror I realised that the very first occasion when the AFL could have done more than just offer lip service and parade Rosie Batty around, it would not be publicly reprimanding these three men – it would remained silent.
Thousands of comments on social media were backed up by senior politicians like Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who not only condemned the comments but then refused to go on a radio show involving McGuire.
But alas, then came those like Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who said we shouldn’t take offence at every silly little remark because it takes the focus away from the big issues.
Well Julie Bishop – every week one Australian woman is killed at the hands of a male partner or former partner. I guess that’s not a big issue for you.
Disrespect does not always end in violence but violence always starts with disrespect.”
So come on the AFL… you are a mighty player in this game. Speak out against these disrespectful “jokes”; if not for Caroline Wilson, then do it for the women in our country who each day are trying to find their voice in a fight against violence.
