Jill Singer at her best again. Now she wants Fatty Vautin to be axed as well......Why arent you on Tv anymore Jill??
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Jill Singer
May 14, 2009 12:00am
GROUP sex. Despite the fallout from the NRL sex scandal, this expression is still invariably being used to describe the behaviour of the disgraced Matthew Johns and accomplices.
How could any reasonable person use such a relatively benign term regarding the degradation and trauma caused to a teenage girl by a conga line of hulking, rutting men?
The calculatedly mild language being used in discussion about the behaviour of these sportsmen helps explain a culture that allows the sexual assault of women to thrive.
Group sex conjures up images of swinging suburbanites happily exploring their sexuality outside society’s norm.
It comes nowhere near describing the experience a young New Zealander related to television viewers this week.
A group, by definition, describes people or things that have something in common.
On the night that scarred her psyche and drove her to attempt suicide, the then teenage Clare was a lone, naked female in a room full of burly sportsmen seeking to “bond” with each other, not with her.
Researchers into the relationship between sport, masculinity and sex in the US and UK refer to the phenomenon of “pack sex”, which seems a more apt description, setting the dominant group apart from their quarry.
Language matters, particularly when cultural change is being sought.
The AFL, NRL and various other sporting groups make much of their commitment to fighting sexist attitudes within their codes.
NRL boss David Gallop admits it’s a challenge. His apology on behalf of the NRL was unflinching in acknowledging the obvious distress of victims.
But consider Matthew Johns’ so-called apology on Nine’s NRL Footy Show, in which he apologised for the anguish and embarrassment his behaviour had caused to his family.
His weasel words give us great insight into Johns’ attitude towards women - don’t express a whit of sympathy for the girl you and your pack used and left feeling violated and traumatised - just apologise for shaming the wife and kids.
Co-presenter Fatty Vautin’s response to the Johns “apology” also stank - well said, and on with the show!
When the addition to the apology came on A Current Affair on Wednesday night it was too late.
Sporting stars aren’t going to change the way they think until the way we talk about their behaviour changes.
One media outlet described the traumatised young victim as “a woman who had sex with a group of Cronulla players, including Johns”.
So, the woman had sex with them, rather than them with her.
Fascinating isn’t it, that all responsibility rests with a solitary young girl rather than a dozen or so bulked-up blokes?
Then there’s the description of their behaviour as “risk-taking”. Where was the risk for them - in being caught? Surely if anyone took a risk it was the girl, who trusted one footballer, only to find herself thrown to the pack.
The Australian continued the blame shifting with its headline “Woman alleges sex with six Cronulla players or staff “. No she didn’t. Sex isn’t an allegation. What Clare alleges was sexual assault. That’s why she went to the police, unfortunately leaving it until five days after the event.
The media plays as important a role in cultural change as any sporting club.
Unfortunately, Channel 9 has won a deserved reputation for having a blokey culture. The finding that Nine breached television’s code of conduct with the lewd and aggressive Sam Newman mannequin stunt should come as no surprise.
But what of this bizarre television news report, broadcast on Nine this week; “With his name cleared, once again Johns is devastated he must relive this ordeal publicly once again.”
His ordeal?
Nine has been slow to catch on just how offensive women find such attitudes. Tracey Grimshaw is to be applauded for telling ACA viewers her belief that Johns’ response was inadequate.
Equally, Nine management had finally made the correct decision in removing Johns from air (and Melbourne Storm in severing its connection with him).
If Fatty Vautin doesn’t cop it sweet on Thursday night’s program, his should be the next head to roll.
