There’s a contemporary twist in Hawthorn’s racism investigation, with a former participant and his spouse contemplating authorized motion over the membership’s dealing with of the allegations.
The Herald Sun launched a press release from the {couples}’ lawyer, Judy Courtin, on behalf of the pair – known as “Paul” and “Mary” — saying they really feel “abandoned” by the membership whereas detailing their “hurt and trauma.”
The assertion additionally revealed that the couple are refusing to take part within the AFL’s investigation into the racism saga some seven months on from it first being launched.
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“We feel that Hawthorn and the AFL have attempted to wipe their hands clean of us, and worse, to blame us for what happened to us,” the assertion reads.
“We feel abandoned by the very club that was promising to understand and address our hurt and trauma.
“Once again we feel as though our voices are being silenced or controlled in processes that are not independent or safe. We are fearful, scared, intimidated and all of the feelings from the past are, once again, so familiar.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE.
In her assertion, Dr Courtin mentioned the couple would contemplate civil litigation and that their lives had been “turned upside down” by the matter. She additionally claimed the couple been “forced to beg, cap in hand” for counselling help after their alleged ordeal had change into public information.
Furthermore, Dr Courtin mentioned Hawthorn and the AFL’s dealing with of the matter had “re-traumatised” her shoppers, as had the leaking of their private info, claiming Hawthorn govt Justin Reeves’s public statements of help had been “nothing more than virtue-signalling, hypocrisy and pretence”.
Former membership coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, who’re but to be interviewed as a part of the probe, have denied any wrongdoing in response to the allegations.
The league initially claimed its investigation panel would attain findings by Christmas, however the course of has been slowed.
Reeves responded in a press release: “Our focus has and will always be on the wellbeing of everyone involved.
“The club has provided support to the family referred to by Judy Courtin. This includes agreeing to provide financial support for 30 counselling sessions to a counsellor of their choice.”
Originally printed as ‘Voices are being silenced’: Shock new claims in Hawks racism saga as authorized battle looms
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
