This week there are two stories that caught my attention and are close to my heart. First, Cycling NZ have announced the independent panel and terms of reference for the review of the organisation following the death of athlete Olivia Podmore. There have been at least 11 reviews of national sports organisations since 2016 (that we know about), and nine of those were on issues around bullying, culture, and gender. I am sceptical of the purpose and effectiveness of these reviews, having analysed them as part of my research, including the first review Cycling NZ held in 2018, led by Michael Heron QC. In most of the reviews, the person at the centre of the review resigned during the process, which is often treated as the problem being solved. However, a person leaving doesn’t fix the culture that enabled it to happen in the first place. Recommendations from the reviews have largely been policy-based, with little done to address the actual culture. This latest review feels different. The biggest difference is that it is co-chaired, by Heron and Professor Sarah Leberman. They’re joined by Rio Olympic Games rowing athlete Genevieve Macky and former Silver Ferns netballer Dr Lesley Nicol, who was involved in the independent review into gymnastics. Another key difference is that the focus for this review is almost solely on aspects of welfare, which is a positive move.
I am a member of Stop Sexual Harassment on Campus (SSHOC) Aotearoa, a collective of staff and students from Aotearoa New Zealand’s eight Universities. This week SSHOC released a report that explores the case for an independent body to monitor and report on the institutional response of New Zealand Universities to reports of sexual violence on campus. An independent body to monitor university responses to sexual violence would ensure universities are held accountable for what happens on campus and ensure that student wellbeing is the greatest concern rather than reputation. At the moment, like in most work places, when an incident of sexual assault or harassment is reported it is up to the university to decide, firstly whether to investigate at all, and then whether it is a formal investigation or an informal enquiry, that is then carried out by the university, who also decides the verdict and any consequences. And if the perpetrator resigns or leaves the university during any stage of this process, the process ends. And they can re-enrol (if they’re a student) or take up a new job (if they’re a staff member) at another university. This is a ludicrously unfair process rife with conflicts of interest, that is in no way victim/survivor-centric. And with sexual harassment and bullying rife in our universities this is a major issue. To support the proposed independent body and to get some action, please sign the petition. This is a different way to address investigating cases of sexual assault, that is recommended by a number of experts. It would be great to get this set up for universities as a starting point for other organisaions too.
Also this week, in what seems a ridiculously late move, in cricket the gender-neutral term “batter” will be used instead of “batsman” Marylebone Cricket Club, the Lord’s-based organisation regarded as the guardian of the laws of the game, have announced. No word on changing third man and night watchman though…
This week in Herstory, tennis legend Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in three straight sets to win the famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match on 20 September 1973. Once the world’s number one tennis player for several years, Riggs claimed that the female game was inferior and that a female player could not beat him even after he had retired from competition. King accepted his challenge and beat Riggs at a highly publicized game in the Houston Astrodome in the U.S.
Also this week in Herstory, women in Aotearoa NZ were finally “given” the right to vote on 19 September 1893.
Check out all the media headlines in women’s sport for the week of 24th September right here.
Alida Shanks 