To draw on a sporting cliché, the news this week was a game of two halves. In women’s sport there have been some great profile pieces (albeit with some appalling headlines), including: former Black Fern Constable Selica Winiata who is off to the Olympics to referee, Dr Madeleine Pape on how a career-ending injury led to a career researching gender eligibility in sport, how boxing changed Terri Wood’s life, Wendy Sharpe’s iconic assist to help the Football Ferns qualify for the 1991 FIFA World Cup, and a profile of the first women’s provincial rugby match in 1980.
However, another week and more stories on sexual harassment and bullying, the list is so long I need to use bullet points:
- Victoria University lecturer investigated over alleged assault and an inappropriate relationship with his student
- The former Russell McVeagh partner accused of persistent sexual harassment admitted his conduct was “unsatisfactory”.
- Martin Devlin tried to punch a younger colleague and sent inappropriate emails to young female staff members. NZME hold an internal investigation with Devlin back on air almost immediately, but is back off air after the victim complains about the process.
- NZ On Air apologised to a former staff member for not taking appropriate action when she was assaulted by a musician when she turned down his advances. APRA have since revoked his award.
- Five RNZ staff members accused of sexual misconduct.
- The CEO of IANZ lost name suppression after being convicted of using spy cams in a gym bathroom to film people naked.
- A so-called prominent businessman jailed for sexual assaults and bribing witnesses but keeps name suppression for now.
- Brazilian star Neymar denies Nike’s claim he was dumped over alleged sexual assault
With all these sexual misconduct cases in the news, I would have thought there would be more attention given to the sweeping changes to sexual assault laws introduced by the NSW Attorney General, centred on an affirmative consent model.
This week in HerStory, Women’s Golf NZ and (men’s) Golf NZ merged 16 years ago after three years of discussions, and it was revealed this week in 2019 that Swimming NZ held a review into allegations of a coach accused of a number of serious offences including sexual harassment, visiting strip clubs with teens, and “abortion doping”.
Apologies this week’s HerStory is a day late, but it means that I can include a special shout out to Suzanne McFadden at Newsroom for winning Sports Journalist of the Year with Stuff’s Dana Johannsen as runner up, and Alison Mau at Stuff for winning Reporter of the Year for her work on #MeTooNZ. Ko rawe to mahi!
Check out all the media headlines in women’s sport for the 29th May right here.
Alida Shanks 