Cover-ups of horror child abuse, rape, ‘ritualised violence’, groping and grooming rife in racing
A bombshell report into Victoria’s racing industry has revealed rapes, assaults, humiliating initiations, “ritualised violence” and grooming of children is covered-up and perpetrators protected.
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A bombshell report into how Victoria’s $4.7bn racing industry has handled allegations of rape, and other assaults has revealed children as young as 12 have been abused and cover-ups have been rife.
The sweeping Independent Review into Victorian Racing Industry Victim Support and Complaint Processes, led by racing integrity commissioner Sean Carroll, has revealed “devastating accounts of physical and sexual abuse of people across decades, including children and young recruits in the industry”.
Victims spoke of a culture of cover-ups, code of silence and “tacit consent” surrounding heinous behaviour, with victims left with nowhere to turn and even serious physical injuries from assaults left untreated in some cases.
One alleged their “groper” was regularly on TV and radio.
“What a scumbag. I go through a red light, two weeks down the track, I’ve got a $300 bill. You go and grope people, and you’re on the tele, on the radio,” the victim told the inquiry.
Another said: “I was left to just die on the vine. Nobody offered any support.”
The abuse uncovered included rapes, other forms of sexual and physical assault, “humiliating initiation practices, ritualised violence, grooming and harassment”, including in recent years, Mr Carroll’s report shows.
“Some of this abuse was perpetrated against children as young as 12,” he said.
“Almost as damaging as the abuse itself, numerous review participants spoke about racing authorities’ historical inaction in response to their complaints. They expressed distress at the perception of ‘cover-ups’, with reports of harm being ‘swept under the carpet’. Others spoke of a fear of retribution for daring to speak about what they experienced.”
The report shows 31 per cent of the scores of victims who came forward to speak to the inquiry were children aged under 18 and 51 per cent were aged 18 to 25.
More than 60 per cent of victims were male and almost 40 per cent of the instances of abuse had happened since 2020.
Thoroughbred racing was the code with the overwhelming majority of abuse claims, with 71 per cent of victims.
Strong loyalty to the industry by its participants — some of whom had “lived and breathed racing for generations” — had led to a culture of tolerance around wrongdoing, the report said.
“Whilst laudable for the sense of community it fosters, this has contributed to an environment where harassment, abuse and assault have taken place unchecked,” Mr Carroll reported.
“The dark flip side of loyalty has been a culture of silence across the industry that is underpinned by an historical and widespread, tacit discouragement of reporting.
“At times, those who have raised complaints have been the subject of overt retaliation. A number hold the perception that perpetrators of abuse have been protected.”
Among its nine key recommendations, the report calls for a redress program and restorative process for past harms, including “meaningful options for repair” now be implemented.
It recommends this scheme be based on models used by Victoria Police and the Australian Defence Force following abuse revelations.
And the commissioner wants action on several of his recommendations within the next 12 months.
The review found each of the controlling bodies for the state’s racing codes had internal policies for preventing and responding to harm involving their own staff and contractors but implementation varied, “and there is minimal-to-no evaluation of the effectiveness of these policies (and) significant disparity in the controlling bodies’ external prevention framework”.
Only one code had a policy that expressly prohibiting unsafe, disrespectful and unlawful behaviour.
It also found many victims had not been offered support or guidance on what to do, or advised where to complain, after being abused.
“As a result, they have put up with intolerable conditions. A number recounted historical failures when reports were made of physical assaults that resulted in serious injuries and no medical attention was offered,” Mr Carroll said.
“We also heard of the severe and enduring impact of these harms. This led to some victim survivors leaving the industry. Others expressed a desire to walk away, but they remain working in the VRI due to a lack of options or viable employment elsewhere, and need for financial security.
“The lingering effects on work and personal relationships, individual self-worth, and wellbeing are profound.”
Current and historical abuse victims in the state’s thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing industries were asked to come forward and report their experiences in March 2022 when the review was announced, with the final report expected to be released in June this year.
But its release was delayed by months because of the sheer number of claims and “breadth of information” received, and resulting enormous scale of the investigation.
Eighty-eight people — with more than double the number of males than females and including jockeys, drivers, trainers, stable and kennel hands, officials and other employees – had spoken out by the end of last year and it’s understood many more have come forward since.
Finally dropping on September 13, the bombshell report has landed as Melbourne’s famous Spring Racing Carnival gears up, ahead of the nation-stopping Melbourne Cup.
The review team conducted 185 confidential listening sessions and consultations in total, across the VRI and beyond, gaining perspectives and practical insights from participants,
administrators, staff, pundits and experts from racing and other industries.
Mr Carroll said he was “personally devastated” by the abuse claims he had been privy to and what the review had uncovered.
“To hear participant experiences of continuing tolerance of harassment, abuse and assault within each of the codes. A number describe feeling invisible and invalidated because they consider that people in positions of authority have historically turned their backs on the problem, and colleagues and bystanders continue to walk past and turn a blind eye when they witness specific incidents. This is unacceptable and the controlling bodies must do more to incorporate effective bystander strategies in industry education. Calling out poor behaviour is a responsibility that we all share, and it is incumbent on every single one of us, regardless of our individual role or position, to take action,” he said.
“For many in the VRI, this report will undoubtedly make for uncomfortable and, at times, shocking reading. However, we owe it to all who have been harmed to hear their voices, truly listen, believe what they have told us, and make a commitment to no longer tolerate or turn a blind eye. We have a moral imperative to do so. Our industry’s social licence is also dependent on it. It demands that what happens off the track – and how we treat people – is as important to racing integrity as what occurs on the track.”
Mr Carroll said the claims made through the investigation offered a lens through which the industry could now critically reflect and examine its beliefs and biases, leading to positive change.
“The controlling bodies’ referral and support for the public release of the report provides a clear commitment to champion the necessary reforms,” he said.
“Regardless of our role or position, we all share a responsibility to call out harmful behaviour and not be passive bystanders.
“It has been a privilege to be entrusted by all who have come forward. To those courageous victim survivors – I see you, I hear you, and I am sorry for what you have endured.”
Victoria’s Racing Minister Anthony Carbines said the allegations outlined in the report were “unacceptable” and “deeply distressing”, and called on the industry to implement lasting change.
Mr Carbines said the review identified “significant” industry-wide cultural and safety issues including experiences of sexual abuse, assault and harassment.
“I would like to extend my respect and thanks to the victim survivors who courageously shared their experiences to inform the review,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Carbines said he looked forward to the Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) responding to the nine recommendations and “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 hardworking, dedicated people, and they deserve a workplace that is safe and free from harm,” he said.
“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.”
Racing Victoria chief Andrew Jones on Wednesday committed to working through the recommendations in the “extensive and confronting” report.
“Firstly, thank you for coming forward and showing the courage, it’s not easy,” he said in a message to victims.
“Secondly, we acknowledge the harm suffered and thirdly, on behalf of everybody in the industry past and present we apologise wholeheartedly. People shouldn’t be subjected to (that) type of treatment . . . we’re appalled by it, we have to acknowledge it.”
“Child abuse in any form, any workplace, in any situation, is unacceptable and nobody in Victorian racing is anything other than appalled by it.”
While the review covered all three codes, it was clear there were unacceptable practices occurring in the thoroughbred racing industry, he said.
He thanked the victims who had the courage to come forward and share their experiences.
“We acknowledge the harm suffered and, on behalf of the industry, apologise for it,” Mr Jones said.
“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.”
Current support pathways for participants and their families include the independent counselling service Stableline, Participant Protection and Wellbeing managers and Jockey Assistance Program.
Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl echoed Racing Victoria’s sentiments.
“The final report provides for stark reading,” Mr Nicholl said.
“Nobody would disagree, one victim of physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment is one too many. It is also clear the ATA … 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.”
Victorian Jockeys Association executive officer Matt Hyland said: “The people who came forward to participate in the review are courageous. The final report details that, in the past, there were clearly people who experienced appalling assault and abuse while working in thoroughbred racing. 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.”
Harness Racing Victoria chief executive Matt Isaacs apologised on behalf of the industry to those who experienced unacceptable behaviour.
“As the industry authority we need to do better to ensure all people and operators within harness racing can engage in safe working environments and know what is expected of them,” he said.
“Harness Racing Victoria’s board and executive will review the recommendations and work with the industry to ensure present and future generations are treated appropriately.
“This review paves the way to drive meaningful and enduring change, and we are committed to setting higher standards to promote a safer and more inclusive industry.”
Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive Stuart Laing said: “We apologise to survivors for the harm they experienced from past failures to protect them. GRV commits to learning from the Report, so we can play our part in driving a better future for the Victorian racing industry. “We will continue to work with our participants, clubs and key stakeholders and with other codes to promote a culture within racing where silence or inaction in the face of abuse and harassment are not tolerated.”
It comes as perpetrators and enablers of alleged “horrific” hazing and abuse in the state’s racing industry could face court, as law firm Maurice Blackburn investigates and prepares up to eight claims.
Maurice Blackburn lawyer John Rule said it was alleged some of the hazing had led into sexual and physical abuse.
One case had already been filed to court and “another half a dozen or so” claims were being worked on, he said.
They included “some pretty horrific stuff”, Mr Rule said.
“Some of them include hazing type stuff – it’s not just a bit of bullying, it’s pretty full-on and some of that flows into sexual abuse, as well as physical,” he said.
“There’s probably seven or eight (claims) in total that we’re looking closely at and are at various stages of the process.”
Opposition racing spokesman Tim Bull said the report must serve as the stimulus for change within the industry.
“Sexual and physical assault, and the serious other matters raised, have no place in society and this needs to be a wake-up call of major proportions,” he said.
“Its contents are deeply distressing and I’m pleased Racing Victoria has committed to strongly considering the recommendations in the report.
“I am also pleased Racing Victoria is showing an attitude and intent to address these serious issues.”
Mr Bull said the victims should be applauded for their courage.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who is an opponent of both horse and greyhound racing, said the report is “not one bit surprising”.
“This is yet another grubby report from a grubby industry,” she said.
“We continuously see how women are discriminated against and treated unfairly compared to men in male dominated industries like racing. It is obvious there is a culture of silence and abuse of anyone who speaks out.
“The government shouldn’t be surprised by this report either, and I am calling on them to act.
“This industry needs cleaning up at every corner. Participants and those involved in these industries do not have the confidence to speak up, which is why they are seeking support through other avenues — including my own office.”
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