Hawthorn racism scandal: Read the harrowing allegations of former players and their partners in full

Harrowing accounts of racist abuse, miscarriages, forced abortion and self-harm can be revealed in full for the first time. Read the interview transcripts from the Hawthorn report.

Read in their own words the harrowing accounts

Harrowing allegations of former Hawthorn players and their partners can be revealed in full for the first time since explosive claims were made against the club in a review.

The report – titled Hawthorn’s Cultural Safety Review – was conducted in August 2022 and revealed shocking claims of Young Indigenous Hawthorn players being separated from their partners and being pressured to terminate a pregnancy by key officials including then-senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

One player said they had made several attempts on their own life as a result of the trauma.

The incidents allegedly took place during Hawthorn’s reigning era which included three premierships between 2013 and 2015.

Read, in their own words, statements from some of those interviewed.

WARNING: This story contains references to intergenerational trauma for Indigenous people, themes of suicide, self-harm and pregnancy loss.

Originally published as Hawthorn racism scandal: Read the harrowing allegations of former players and their partners in full