Revised Footballer Threat Level

In light of the very serious allegations of rugby players "running amok" in Charles Sturt University, we are expecting a greater effort in self-control from our own AFL footballers. As a result, the AFL Footballer Threat Index has been adjusted to the green level, to reflect the temporarily lower risk of rapes and bashings.

Word Count: 55

Tags: footy

Introducing ... The AFL Footballer Threat Level

In the interests of public safety, this blog is now implementing a warning system for risks from AFL players (see right). This move borrows from the US Department of Homeland Security's Advisory System, but is simplified to only three levels.

The idea is to provide people - especially young women - with an indication of the current expected relative risk of being near footballers while out on the town or socialising with friends. Since the frequency of incidents seems to vary throughout the annual football cycle, the risk level is to some degree predictable.

The different levels are explained here.

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GREEN



Risk of bashings, rapes and other assaults from AFL footballers is lower than usual. Footballers are less likely to be encountered in popular nightspots and are less likely to be affected by drugs or alcohol. However, men and young women are still cautioned about approaching groups of footballers alone.

This condition is met during intensive training periods or when public scrutiny is exceptionally high, such as immediately following a nasty incident going public.

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ORANGE



Risk of bashings, rapes and other assaults from AFL footballers is elevated relative to the general public. Footballers can be expected in popular nightspots and may be affected by drugs or alcohol. All men and young women are advised to avoid footballers without taking precautions such as having bouncers or guards present, or at least being monitored by fixed security cameras.

This is the typical level of risk associated with AFL players during their playing season.

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RED



Risk of bashings, rapes and other assaults from AFL footballers is higher than usual even by player standards. Footballers are likely to be present in popular nightspots and most likely will be affected by drugs or alcohol. All men and young women are advised to avoid venues where the presence of footballers is likely and should be prepared to leave immediately any area should they arrive. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be alone with one.

This situation arises after teams have been knocked out of competition or when dangerous players have received suspensions or injuries that prevent them from playing. It also applies to AFL teams "on retreat" or end-of-season trips.

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While careful not to mention the names of individuals, readers are invited to provide intelligence about pending activities to help reflect the true risk level.

Word Count: 404

Tags: footy, rape, drugs, bashing

AFL's Response to Sexual Misconduct

In the face of a barrage of media scrutiny about some of its players' practice of raping women, the AFL has started floating some ideas about how to respond.

Normally, you would think "police" and that would be the end of the matter. If there's a reasonable prospect that a crime has been committed, the police need to investigate. Simple, no? Well, according to The Age:

The AFL could terminate the contract of a footballer convicted of sexual assault as part of a wide-ranging series of initiatives in a bid to confront community violence against women.

Determined to take a leadership role on the issue that has haunted the game over the past year, all 16 clubs have been told to respond today to a discussion document that has also floated the establishment of a sexual misconduct tribunal that could compensate women violated by AFL players. (The Age, Feb 11, 2005)

The idea of members of the public - young women in particular - appealing to the pseudo-judiciary of the AFL for justice is as absurd as it is offensive. Under this system, sexual assault will be rendered "unduly rough play". While money has already been paid out to women who accused AFL players of sex crimes, this will see the practice become institutionalised. The AFL strategy would no doubt buy the silence of some victims, but could provide a lottery for some unscrupulous women.

No, the best solution is to treat AFL players like citizens, not women as AFL players.

Citations: The Age, Feb 11, 2005

Word Count: 260

Tags: footy, rape, spoilt_rotten