Geelong Football club being sued over allegations of ‘serious sexual abuse’

A former player has launched Supreme Court action against Geelong over allegations of historical “sexual abuse”.

Former player sues Geelong. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour) NO ARCHIVING

A former Geelong player has launched legal action against the AFL club over allegations of “serious sexual abuse”.

The ex-player alleges he was gang raped by multiple older players at a residence maintained by the club.

Legal action was launched over the claims with the former player claiming he was cornered in a shower at the club’s residence for country recruits and sexually assaulted.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in the early 1980s, when the individual was 15 or 16, according to the Herald Sun.

Geelong issued a statement on Sunday afternoon addressing the legal proceedings.

“The Geelong Football Club (Club) has become aware that legal proceedings have commenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the Club,” the statement read.

“The Club understands that a historical claim of serious sexual abuse has been made by a person who was engaged with the Club’s under 19’s team in the early 1980s.

“Our first thought is with the individual, their family and the community and the Club is taking this matter extremely seriously.

“As legal proceedings have now commenced and with respect to all parties, the Club is unable to make any further comment at this stage.

“We acknowledge this communication may cause distress and we encourage people to seek appropriate support.”

Geelong are being sued by a former player. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour).

The alleged incident is alleged to have taken place at Aberdeen House, a venue used to house country recruits for the Cats’ under-19s side.

The man, an Indigenous Elder now in his late 50s, launched Supreme Court action against the Cats seeking a trial by jury, claiming the club had a “duty to take reasonable care of his welfare, safety and supervision” while he was living at the football house as a minor.

He left the sport shortly after the alleged assault.

Court documents allege the club was liable as it employed the three players alleged to have committed the act.

“(Geelong FC) placed senior players in a position where they had authority, power, trust, control and the ability to achieve intimacy over the plaintiff, which afforded them the opportunity to abuse (him),” the lawsuit states.

“The Plaintiff was vulnerable by reason of his age, displacement from family and dislocation from his home.”

Aberdeen House. Picture: Supplied.

The former player’s lawyer, Arnold Thomas & Becker’s Angela Di Carluccio, says he has shown “courage and strength” in going after the club.

“My client has shown a lot of courage and strength in coming forward about his abuse,” she told the Herald Sun.

“He is a proud and well respected Indigenous man who has fought hard in his life to overcome his trauma and to contribute positively to his community.”

Ms Di Carluccio said the Geelong Cats had “a duty to care for his welfare and safety”.

‘There was a failure to properly supervise Aberdeen House or separate my client from players who were adult men,’ she said.

The three players have not been named.

Originally published as Geelong Football club being sued over allegations of ‘serious sexual abuse’