Damning Report On Victorian Racing

[Chief Stipe]

Industry reacts to Commissioner's report
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds
@Reynolds_R
13 September, 2023
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Racing Victoria
Racing Victoria's Andrew Jones. Picture: Racing Photos
Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones has described the final report of the Independent Review into the Victorian Racing Industry's Victim Support and Complaint Processes as 'extensive' and 'confronting'.

The review followed a joint referral from RV, as well as Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria to The Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner (ORIC) as they looked to ensure the Victorian Racing Industry delivers safe, respectful and inclusive work environments.

The report was released on Wednesday afternoon, with Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll making nine recommendations following his review.

RV, the Victorian Jockeys' Association and the Australian Trainers' Association released a joint statement on Wednesday following the release of the report.

Jones said 'the final report is extensive and confronting'.

"It contains accounts of experiences across the past 50 years that no one should be subjected to," Jones said.

"While the Review covered all three codes, it is clear there were unacceptable practices in the thoroughbred racing industry."

Jones said while progress has been made, racing still had issues it needs to deal with.

"We thank sincerely those who had the courage to come forward and share their experiences," Jones said.

"We acknowledge the harm suffered and, on behalf of the industry, apologise for it.

"No one should experience physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment, including in their workplace, and everyone, from employers to colleagues, has a role in ensuring that.

"Racing's workplaces have changed substantially for the better. The Final Report recognises that we have taken comprehensive steps to better prevent and respond to harm.

"However, it makes clear that we have more work to do. This includes ensuring those experiencing harm have greater confidence to come forward.

"Should a serious workplace issue arise, we want all participants to know that they have free and confidential pathways open to support them.

"Our independent counselling service Stableline, our Participant Protection and Wellbeing Managers, and Jockey Assistance Program are all available to support participants and their families.

"RV will now work through each of the detailed recommendations in the Final Report and look at how best to add to our existing programs and processes.

VJA boss Matt Hyland described those who participated in the review as 'courageous'.

"The Final Report details that, in the past, there were clearly people who experienced appalling assault and abuse while working in thoroughbred racing," he said.

"While our industry has clearly progressed in recent times with more supports and safer environments, that doesn't mean we can't and shouldn't do more for all our members, past and present."

ATA chief Andrew Nicholl said the report made 'stark reading'.

"We echo the sentiments expressed by RV - no one would disagree, one victim of physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment is one too many," he said.

"It is also clear the ATA, an industry body representing licensed trainers, has a vital role to play helping educate our members on their responsibilities as employers.  Employees, as a basic right, must feel safe, secure and supported in their workplace - anything less is simply unacceptable."

Racing Minister Anthony Carbines said: “These allegations are unacceptable and deeply distressing. I would like to extend my respect and thanks to the victim survivors who courageously shared their experiences to inform the review.

“Their voices have been heard and will drive meaningful and enduring change.

“We expect that those affected by this unacceptable behaviour will get access to the support and services they need.

“The Commissioner has made nine recommendations to racing control bodies to ensure the industry prioritises the safety and wellbeing of its people and that they are protected by a robust code of conduct.

“I look forward to the Victorian Racing Industry responding accordingly to intensify its efforts to improve its culture and implement the measures that will deliver the change required.

“It is important to remember at the core of the racing industry are thousands of hard-working, dedicated people, and they deserve a workplace that is safe and free from harm.

“The Victorian Government will continue to work with the racing industry to ensure they have the tools and support they need to implement lasting change.”

[Chief Stipe]

https://racingintegrity.vic.gov.au/review/review-details

Initial observations

Although this interim report marks the midpoint of the Review, the need for change is already evident. Acknowledging that society and the VRI have come a long way since the 1970s and 1980s when abuse, assault and harassment often occurred in plain sight, there remains work to be done to ensure racing workplaces safe and respectful for all. Emerging themes Key themes raised by the Review will be explored in the final report. At this interim stage, victim survivors have consistently told us that a key motivation for coming forward now is to ensure that others in the VRI are not subject to the behaviours levelled at them. Overwhelmingly, they have articulated a desire to ensure that better safeguards are in place to protect all who work in the VRI.

Numerous victim survivors have also talked about the historical inaction of racing authorities in response to their complaints of sexual and physical abuse and expressed their dismay at what they perceive as ‘cover-ups’ and complaints being ‘swept under the carpet’. For some, the threat of retribution is palpable. Many have spoken about not being offered guidance on what to do or where to complain, and simply tolerated ongoing mistreatment as a result. We have also heard of the lasting impact of the harm caused. This has resulted in some victim survivors leaving the industry. Others have expressed a desire to walk away but remain working in the VRI due to a lack of options and viable employment elsewhere and need for financial security.

The lingering effects on work and personal relationships, their self-worth and wellbeing is profound. The VRI workplace environment and participant demographics are unique and fragmented in nature, which coalesce to create risk and vulnerabilities in work culture and unacceptable behaviour that has gone unchecked. The need to regularly assess the adequacy of existing safeguards in the form of clear policies and processes to hold inappropriate conduct to account, consistent pathways for reporting and accessing support, and robust education to raise awareness about the standards and measures in place, is paramount.

Reform directions

Emerging themes foreshadow the need for an independent VRI complaint handling mechanism. 

Interim-Report-Review-December-2022-Digital-and-Print-Final.pdf

[holy ravioli]

Certainly not confined to Victorian racing.

A microscope on NZ racing over the last 50 years would reveal heinous behaviour and abuse,often by prominent personalities....I am sure of..that.