AFL Rape allegations

[sharp9]

Originally posted by CureTheSane
A person making allegations like this should be dealt with extremely harshly if they are not proven IMO.

Some money hungry person can destroy someone sprouting these sort of things.

Not to claim they are innocent, but the timing of the allegations brings doubt as to their genuinity....

People who make false allegations get very harshly dealt with...ie, jail time; whixh only goes to suggest that you would have to be very bloody stupid to lie about something like this - not to mention the fact that no matter what, she will be branded for the rest of her life. That's a really big call to go public with made up accusations...that is to say, very, very, unlikely - but you never know.

Also wher does the money bit come in? No one has asked for money. You might be confusing the situation with those who threaten to make false accusations unless they are paid off...which obviously doesn't apply here. Then there are those who get paid for their story....but if the story is true then, obviously, you would have no problem with that either.

[sharp9]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG

Or am I nieve enough to believe that our bunch of blokes are actually pretty decent guys who would never resort to this sort of thing?
JF

Yes, you would be naive to think that. The culture is various shades of the same colour no matter where you look in the football world.

[CureTheSane]

Sure, if the story is true, and money makes the victim feel better, then fine, I have no problem with that.

How about outing sex offenders who have done their time?
When they move into some suburb they are on a list of known sex offenders and the whole community finds out?

Agree or disagree?

I would generally say that once the time is served, then they should be left alone, but like it was said before, rape is one of the worse crimes that can be comitted, worse than murder IMO.

So I say that all potential sex offenders should be aware, they do the crime, then it should live with them forever.

[NMWBloods]

I think it's difficult to classify some crimes into what's worse, such as murder and rape. Then of course there varying degrees of rape and varying types of rapists.

I also think outing known sex offenders has some merit, particularly in the case of repeat offenders and paedophiles. However, say for one-off 'date rape' perpetrators, I would think that once they have served their time it should not be raised again, otherwise rehabilitation becomes rather difficult.

[Bron]

Originally posted by sharp9
Yes, you would be naive to think that. The culture is various shades of the same colour no matter where you look in the football world.

That's a very cynical view.

From what I have seen of the Swans, I consider them to be young men that I personally am very proud to feel associated with, even just as a supporter. The Club works hard to foster a culture of respect for others with the players. Many of them do great work (often unpublicised) with charities and kids.

Sure, guys will have a few drinks and have some fun. But I would be absolutely staggered if any allegation of this sort were to be levelled at the Swans. I belive that they are young men with integrity and honour. (As well as lots of guts and courage that helps them win games like that against Port in September last year :-) )

I think that the Club can be proud of its track record in this regard.

[Rod_]

Second post of this info I felt it more relevant here!


The Sydney papers have been primed for a while to get names into the paper... (Probably, NRL names but any footballer will do) Unfortunately this issue has hit and the Saints named names to protect the innocent and the NRL players are hidden in the smoke haze.

I agree with 110% innocent until proven guilty. No trial by media, however these blood thirsty @#$#%$^%^ reporters have now whipped the public into a frenzy...

Football clubs are reflective of public views. The public needs to change our views.

If a local girl went out with Joe Bloggs (assumed name and job) from the local fish market and she claimed the next day of a simular occurrence, the media would not report to the same level and no one would care or say isn't that sad.... would that make all fishermen bad

Why does the media need to use a recreational activities to promote good morals? This is something that people choose all by themselves. Guided by their own individual circumstances. Everyone has morals, some select high moral ground and others not so high. Personal choice - By either party...

Why imply that only football codes have these problems when the girl that dated a fisherman is not reported at all or only rates on page 10 in one line report...

I agree that each and every case has to be investigated, however don't trail by media.

Why doesn't the media ask the following questions? Why did these girls go went where they did? What their intent was? How was what the intent of the night articulated to and by each of the other parties involved. When was the Red light flashed... How was the No don't do that or don't go there explained and when..... In the morning after the event? Very one sided reporting at the moment. When does the tease go too far? Why do girls let their guards down?. (They got themselves into a position where things could get out of hand.... silly) Public place = public / socially acceptable behaviour only, Private place = Private activities by consenting adults. (However weird that may be - consensual is the key word)

How does a guy know and what are the signals now? It seems that the rules to the dating game have changed again.... (Please I don't have to play this game any more.... Married, Fat and 40 +)

The wash of this will haunt for a while and not much good will come from it...... If these gooses are found to be guilty - they will be sacked and Goaled, if innocent - the girls will be labled as having low morals.. Loose loose situation.

Fight a battle that can be won and maintain standards and always take the high moral ground.

Rod_

[NMWBloods]

From what I've heard on details of the issue (which I'd best not put up here or Des will sensibly delete) the key issue is going to be whether there was a communication mix up or not, which is particularly tricky when all parties were pretty drunk. Also it's an event that could easily occur in any of the clubs.

[Rizzo]

Greer has written an article which I think is pretty spot on......

<http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...939579183.html>

[NMWBloods]

Very interesting article - pretty much nails it (so to speak...).

[Charlie]

Much of that article was the complete opposite of what I expected. It appeared to make excuses for players while scolding the women... or did I just read it completely wrong?

[NMWBloods]

I read it as explaining why the guys behave the way they do, rather than excusing it, while also admonishing a lot of the women and suggesting they should take some responsibility for their actions.

[sharp9]

Originally posted by Charlie
Much of that article was the complete opposite of what I expected. It appeared to make excuses for players while scolding the women... or did I just read it completely wrong?

You read it completely wrong. Whilst Greer indulges in her most famous fault...gross generalisation she is (as usual) pretty accurate with her gross generalisations (if such a thing is possible). She is very matter of fact...this is what a lot of girls do....and this is what a lot of elite sportsmen do....these are the dynamics at play....this is the amount of responsibilty people take for their actions.

I guess what might be missing for you, Charlie, is the usual knee-kerk (and futile) rant about how "there are no excuses and all footballers should just behave." Whilst that statement is true, saying it would achieve nothing when the changes required are so incredibly far-reaching.

It's the equivilent of responding to the drug problem by saying "drugs are bad and addicts should stop taking them and drug dealers should be locked up and the key thrown away."

Greer is intelligent enough to realise that it is far more valuable and useful to begin the process of change by stating the truth without hysterics. Real change in ANY situation is only possible without blame, recrimination and anger (from Alcoholics Anonymous to the South African reconciliation hearings).