White Ribbon Australia backs NRL's stance on domestic violence
Date
July 20, 2015 - 8:00PM
Brad Walter
Sports Reporter
White Ribbon Australia has backed NRL chief executive Dave Smith's handling of the Shaun Kenny-Dowall case, which threatens to cast a shadow over the future of the Sydney Roosters star for the remainder of the season.
NSW Premier Mike Baird was critical of the NRL's stance during a phone conversation with Smith on Sunday in which he called for Kenny-Dowall to be stood down until domestic assault charges against him were heard.
Smith told Fairfax Media on Sunday the NRL would take tough action against any player or official found guilty of domestic violence, and had a track record of doing so, but did not want to prejudice Kenny-Dowall's right to a fair hearing.
White Ribbon Australia, which signed a partnership agreement with the NRL in March after having an informal relationship since 2012, also did not want to comment on Kenny-Dowall's case but said Smith's comments reinforced the leadership position the game had taken on the issue.
"White Ribbon has full confidence in the NRL to lead by example in establishing a culture of non-violence across all of its clubs and this has been demonstrated by Dave Smith's words over the weekend," the foundation said in a statement.
"We are committed to working with the NRL, through the agreement, to ensure that the game, its staff, its players and its supporters understand that all forms of abuse, violence and coercive control will not be tolerated and that individuals will be held accountable for their actions."
Kenny-Dowall is expected to formally enter a plea when he appears at Waverley Local Court on Thursday after being charged with 10 offences against his former partner, Jessica Peris, the daughter of Australian Olympian Nova Peris, including six counts of common assault, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking/intimidating.
The Roosters are standing by Kenny-Dowall and will leave a decision on whether the New Zealand international plays in Friday night's match against Wests Tigers up to him after he withdraw from last Sunday's 24-0 win over the Warriors.
They were so concerned for his wellbeing on Sunday in the aftermath of his arrest that chief executive Brian Canavan told Channel 9 they sought police assistance when they could not contact him.
If he pleads guilty the NRL is expected to immediately stand him down from playing and will determine what further action to take after the court case has concluded.
South Sydney centre Kirisome Auva'a was banned from playing in the NRL until round 23 of this year's competition after last November being fined $3000 and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond for domestic violence charges against his former partner.
With prosecutors reportedly needing six weeks to prepare a brief of evidence for the court case against Kenny-Dowall, it is unlikely that a verdict would be reached before the end of the season.
"White Ribbon will not comment on the specifics of any ongoing legal case, however we stand strong in our view that violence is never acceptable," the statement said. "Education is key and this is the reason that we work with partners like the NRL to get the message of non-violence out across Australia.
"The fact remains that in Australia, one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them. Domestic violence occurs across all communities, cultures and socio-economies.
"In March of this year, White Ribbon and the NRL signed a Partnership Agreement. This establishes White Ribbon as an integral part of the game's 'Voice against Violence' campaign.
It also encourages NRL clubs to become White Ribbon Accredited Workplaces and commit to driving the prevention of violence against women in communities. Many NRL players are committed White Ribbon Ambassadors. The NRL itself is an accredited White Ribbon Workplace. The nature of our work with the NRL is advisory. Violence against women is a serious issue both in sport and in the community at large."
