Sports journalist Zoë George and co-host Judy O'Brien shine the spotlight on women in sports – this month putting a stop to sexual harassment at sporting events; gender diversity; the upcoming White Ferns' tour against the Windies and an update on potty parity at the Basin Reserve.
Photo: Photosport
There’s no excuse for sexual harassment at sports events.
That’s the message from new Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds the City Safety portfolio and aims to end sexual harassment and assault both in and out of sporting events.
Fitzsimons' ultimatum comes after a woman was assaulted and harassed at the Blackcaps versus Pakistan cricket game at the Basin Reserve in January. Fitzsimons has spoken to New Zealand Cricket and hopes to meet other Wellington-based sports groups.
“They’ve [New Zealand Cricket] admitted they’ve got a problem,” Councillor Fitzsimons says. “My message to sports organisations … [is] there’s no excuses."
Consultation with “urgency” is already underway between the Council and sporting organisations on eliminating sexual harassment and abuse.
“You need to be changing the culture now. You need to be working with sexual violence [prevention] agencies, with the police, with local government, with central government, with agencies who know how to tackle this ingrained, endemic cultural problem and take responsibility now for doing your bit.”
The Basin Reserve in central Wellington. Photo: 123RF
New Zealand Cricket is being proactive, according to Richard Boock, the organisation’s public affairs manager. “[We] recognise we have a role to play to encourage people into more responsible behaviour,” Boock says. “I don’t think it’s endemic just in cricket.”
According to the sport’s governing body, more than 150,000 people have attended international cricket matches in New Zealand in the past five years, with only one complaint of sexual harassment and assault being reported. But, says Boock “that’s one too many...it’s a red flag for us [NZC].”
He describes sexual harassment and assault, not just at cricket games, but within the wider public as “reprehensible behaviour”.
An end of season audit will be conducted by New Zealand Cricket, which will address creating safer environments. The organisation will also be working with Wellington Cricket, Wellington City Council, and sexual assault prevention organisations to work on “strategies and techniques that New Zealand Cricket can apply”.
