Inquiry into Melbourne Storm psychologist Jacqui Louder’s knowledge of Curtis Scott violence

Storm officials have refused to comment on a health watchdog probe into a psychologist’s work with its fallen NRL star Curtis Scott, who has been convicted of domestic violence offences.

Curtis Scott at Downing Centre Local Court last year, where his appeal bid failed. Picture: Nikki Short

The Australian health watchdog is ­investigating a complaint about a ­Melbourne Storm psychologist over her work with convicted domestic violence offender and disgraced NRL star Curtis Scott.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the complaint relates to psychologist Jacqui Louder’s dealings with Scott, who has been convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, long jumper Tay-Leiha Clark, and the subsequent evidence given in court in relation to the pair’s volatile relationship.

The complaint centres on Ms Clark claiming Ms Louder was aware of the physical and verbal abuse she suffered at the hands of Scott, and that Ms Louder knew more than she had testified.

Scott was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order in 2022 after being found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Ms Clark, common assault and stalking or intimidation with the intention of causing fear or physical harm. He failed in his bid to have the convictions overturned in July 2023.

Former NRL player Curtis Scott was convicted of assaulting his former partner. Picture: AAP Image

Tay-Leiha Clark says the Melbourne Storm psychologist knew of the abuse she suffered. Picture: Instagram

District Court judge Alister Abadee said 25-year-old Scott’s jealousy was fuelled by content Ms Clark posted to her Instagram, fears she would leave him, and a ­belief she was the reason for his troubles.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) confirmed in December the Psychology Board of Australia had decided to investigate Ms Clark’s concerns. The AHPRA investigation could take 12 months.

AHPRA is investigating the complaint about Melbourne Storm psychologist Jacqui Louder. Picture: Tony Gough

According to her complaint lodged with AHPRA in November, Ms Clark is claiming Ms Louder was aware of the physical and verbal abuse she had ­suffered from Scott.

In her police statement in July 2022, tendered to court in Scott’s case, Ms Louder said she never saw any physical fighting between Scott or Ms Clark, and neither of them ever indicated that physical harm had occurred between them.

“My understanding was this was a very emotional relationship which drove most of their arguments,” she wrote.

Ms Louder said she had conversations with Ms Clarke about the relationship and had always told her she had support if she did not feel safe in the relationship. “I was referring to emotional safety when I spoke about safety,” she wrote.

Melbourne Storm has refused to comment about the investigation. Picture: Richard Dobson

In dismissing Scott’s appeal, Judge Abadee said there were problems with Ms Louder’s “inherently weak” evidence.

The judge agreed with the Crown’s statement that evidence from other witnesses indicated that Ms Clark, or her mother, had informed Ms Louder about the “whole story”.

The judge said that “whether intentional or not”, Ms Louder was inherently in a position of “actual or potentially conflicting duties: a duty, as the Melbourne Storm’s psychologist, to the appellant and as someone to whom the complainant turned.”

When contacted, Ms Clark said: “I’ve found my closure, but this battle isn’t about me. It’s my stand to prevent this from happening again”.

A Melbourne Storm spokeswoman said the club would not be making any comment in relation to the matter and Ms Louder would also not be making any comment at this stage.

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Originally published as Inquiry into Melbourne Storm psychologist Jacqui Louder’s knowledge of Curtis Scott violence