Ex-girlfriend of Sydney Swans star Elijah Taylor shares photos of ‘bruises’
The former girlfriend of Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor has shared pictures of injuries she alleges were caused by the 19-year-old footballer to give others the courage to speak out.
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The ex-girlfriend of Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor has shared pictures of what she says are bruises on her eyes and face — injuries she alleges were caused by the 19-year-old footballer.
Lekahni Pearce last night told 7 NEWS Perth she was still shaken up and trying to process what she says happened, but that she wanted to share pictures of her alleged injuries to shine a light on domestic violence and to give others the courage to speak out.
The 18-year-old said her face and eyes were bruised, and claims she sustained these alleged injuries in a violent assault on Sunday morning.
It came as the WA Government, anti-domestic violence advocates and even Taylor’s family on Monday condemned abuse against women, while the AFL remained silent on the issue.
Her ex, Taylor, is due to face court later this month, accused of aggravated assault — alleged to have unfolded at a Perth CBD hotel last weekend.
The Perth rising star was arrested in Langford on Sunday afternoon and questioned at Cannington Police Station for at least six hours.
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Despite declining to comment on Taylor’s charges, a relative on Monday said his family “did not condone violence against women”.
But the AFL and the Swans stayed tight-lipped, with spokesperson for the latter only saying they had spent the day “reviewing the situation” and was “treating the matter very seriously”.
Both the League and the club have confirmed they will be issuing written statements today.
Speaking on the assault charge Taylor is facing, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk on Monday declared the AFL needed to “step” up and “speak out”.
“The AFL, its leaders and players have a real opportunity to influence behaviour among a group of male role models, as well as the wider community, and they should grab it with both hands and run with it,” she said. “We are calling on any individual or organisation — not just the AFL — to do the decent thing, show leadership and speak out.”
Other sports, such as rugby league, have already taken a stand.
In February last year, ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie and then NRL chief Todd Greenberg announced there would be a “no-fault stand down” for players who are charged with a serious criminal offence. Dragons forward Jack de Belin, who is facing sexual assault allegations, was the first player to be stood down when the new policy was enacted.
Meanwhile, when Collingwood star Jordan De Goey was charged with indecent assault in July, the Magpies said he would keep training and playing while criminal proceedings against him continue.
De Goey returned from injury to play in last night’s game against Gold Coast.
White Ribbon Australia executive Brad Chilcott said a stronger anti-violence policy and message needed to be adopted.
“The NRL policy sets a high standard for their players and makes it clear what kind of behaviour is expected of men who have the privilege of playing sport on a national stage,” he said. “All sporting codes should establish similar policies.”
“Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty said while she couldn’t comment on individual cases, the AFL’s message needed to be loud and clear.
“We need to see that that behaviour is not tolerated or accepted … no matter who they are, how much they earn and what influence they have,” she said.
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Originally published as Ex-girlfriend of Sydney Swans star Elijah Taylor shares photos of ‘bruises’