Abuse survivor slams delays in Victorian racing industry workplace safety reforms

A sexual abuse survivor has criticised the Victorian Racing Industry for “appalling” delays on delivery of workplace safety recommendations.

Victorian racing industry continues to work through workplace safety recommendations. Picture: News Sport Network

A sexual abuse survivor has criticised the Victorian Racing Industry for “appalling” delays on delivery of workplace safety recommendations.

Dennis Green, a former jockey and track rider in the 1970s, who was subjected to sexual abuse at the Caulfield stable of Geoff Murphy, said victims deserved action.

Green was one of the 185 survivors to participate in an independent review, conducted by the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner, into the industry’s victim support and complaint processes.

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Commissioner Sean Carroll released the report and nine recommendations in September 2023 for thoroughbred, harness and greyhound regulators to adopt within 12-18 month timelines.

Racing Victoria has “completed or absorbed into business practice” eight of nine recommendations.

An independent restorative engagement framework and scheme, while overdue, is “well advanced in its development” and set to be completed in early 2025.

RV has reached in-principle agreement with an independent provider for “this unique and important service”.

“RV is now looking to formalise that relationship by early in the New Year to deliver the framework throughout 2025 and 2026,” a spokesman said.

Sean Carroll released the report in September 2023

RV has focused on education of the current workforce with initiatives, “Wellbeing Musters”, and policies “centred on safeguarding children and young people”.

An online learning module has been mandated for all licensed and registered participants “with more than 90 per cent now compliant”.

Harness Racing Victoria has completed three and “made significant progress on all nine, which are on course to all be completed next year”.

“We are ensuring HRV’s response is thoughtfully framed and tailored to meet the specific needs of the harness racing industry,” HRV chief executive Matt Isaacs said.

“We remain committed to progressing these initiatives in collaboration with the other codes to foster long-term improvement.”

Greyhound Racing Victoria has also actioned three of nine recommendations to date.

This masthead understands a separate complaints and operations role, within the ORIC, has been advertised for several months but remains unfilled, tangled in bureaucracy.

The specialised position would provide an independent reporting line for past and present victims of sexual assault and abuse in racing to seek help, counselling and police intervention, as necessary.

A prevailing view among victim respondents during the ORIC review was they felt uncomfortable to report allegations of abuse to racing regulators directly.

Green said he and others felt “manipulated” by the process.

“I want to see it in practice, don’t talk about it or write nice reports, I really want to see them follow through and I’m sure I speak on behalf (of the 185 people participated in the review),” Green said.

Racing industry leaders acknowledged the ORIC report on September 13 last year and condemned the historic sexual abuse and harassment but remained largely quiet since.

Green has personally sought updates only to be stonewalled.

“I feel used, I was there representing dudes from my era, a lot of which are not around anymore … and to find out 15-months later it’s a closed loop,” Green said.

“On the mea culpa day, they were all there brave and earnest, saying all the recommendations would be (adopted).”

Originally published as Abuse survivor slams delays in Victorian racing industry workplace safety reforms