Essendon Football Club acknowledges the nature of the recent allegations is most serious. Sexual violence of any nature is totally unacceptable.

As such, we do not under-estimate the impact of these allegations on any of the parties involved, their families and their friends. It also has serious consequences for the competition as a whole and its constituents.

This club will do its utmost to educate its players and take a lead on addressing this most important issue. It will be a gradual process – one involving all clubs and perhaps other major sporting organisations - but it is one that needs to be undertaken.

In conjunction with the AFL and the AFLPA, this club presently undertakes an annual education program with its players. In light of the recent allegations, our player education policies will be re-emphasised. We will also continue to work cooperatively with the AFL to implement any industry programs or policy they introduce.

Having said that, this club would warn against the sweeping statements being made about the AFL Community as a whole. If the alleged behaviour has occurred it doesn’t suddenly make all AFL players guilty of it. Indeed, the vast majority of AFL players are people of good character who contribute significantly to the community outside their football commitments.

AFL clubs, and indeed the competition as a whole, now has the opportunity to, not only address any problem that exists, but to take a pro-active role on behalf of the community as a whole.

This problem is bigger than AFL football. However, as role models, the players and this competition have the capacity to address it. Essendon Football Club and the competition took such a stance on the issue of religious and racial vilification and the results have permeated throughout the community.

Essendon Football Club has a proud history of including and growing the influence of women in the game. We were one of the first clubs to elect a woman to the Board of Directors. Half our staff comprises committed and talented women, including a number in management positions.

The Essendon Football Club Women’s Network was the first of its type in the game and is dedicated to promoting the important role of women in football.

The AFL-endorsed EFCWN Grand Final Lunch is one of the biggest days on the AFL Calendar – the highlight being the naming of the AFL Football Woman of the Year. This award recognises the woman who has made the greatest contribution to football that year. It has grown significantly in stature since it was first awarded in 1998.

Women have played an important role in the development and growth of Essendon Football Club. It is a role that will continue to grow in the years to come.

The events of recent weeks have been a timely reminder for this club and the competition as a whole. We must learn from what has been alleged in recent weeks – proven or otherwise. This club, and the competition, has a responsibility to its supporters, its players and the wider community to pro-actively address this problem.