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Former West Coast Eagles player and convicted domestic violence perpetrator Ben Cousins is facing growing calls to cancel his ongoing speaking tour dates, among concerns he has failed to fully take accountability for abusing his former partner.
The calls come after the George Hotel in Ballarat earlier this week opted to cancel Cousins’ tour date, saying the venue had failed to consider the former West Coast Eagle player’s previous domestic violence convictions when booking him to speak.
“We recognise that decisions about who is given a public platform carry particular significance for women, victim-survivors and others affected by domestic violence,” the hotel said in a statement.
“We understand why members of our community have questioned what this event represents and whether their experiences and concerns were adequately considered.”
Cousins has a number of scheduled dates for his speaking tour, which is being organised by local business Z Entertainment.
Cousins has been convicted of persistently stalking his former partner and violence restraining order breaches.
On October 3, he is scheduled to speak with former Richmond Tigers player Dustin Martin at the Camfield pub outside Optus Stadium at an event billing the pair as “two of the greatest to ever play the game”.
“Ben Cousins. The PRINCE: One of the most electrifying talents the game has ever seen… for the FIRST TIME EVER these icons share the stage and take you inside the game and their personal lives – the glory, the grind, the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments we’ll never forget,” the advertisement for the event reads.
This masthead does not suggest any wrongdoing by Martin.
The Camfield declined to comment about its decision to host the event, although the Women’s Legal Service of WA director Jennie Gray said the venue had a chance to make an impactful decision.
“I think we absolutely need to follow the precedent that has been set – rightly set – by the George Hotel, and cancel his speaking engagement at the Camfield,” she said.
“We need to think really carefully about who we’re putting on these platforms and the message that it sends to community. What does platforming Ben Cousins say to victim survivors who are considering escaping or reporting family violence?
“We absolutely don’t have to offer him a microphone. And maybe the microphone that we should offer Ben Cousins is one at a man’s behaviour change program.”
WA’s Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing’s Dr Alison Evans, who recently praised the decision to take down disgraced AFL footballer and abuser Nicky Winmar’s statue from outside Optus Stadium, said the George Hotel’s move was an important step forward.
“It was very heartening to see the George Hotel be so responsive to their local community’s expectations that the Hotel be part of our collective efforts to end violence against women and children in our communities,” she said.
“There are disturbingly high numbers of women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence in all communities across Australia, including in the Perth metropolitan areas.
“It’s vital that we all take this issue very seriously given the fear and harm that is caused and the lives that are lost through domestic violence homicide and suicide. We must stand together on this issue.
“It’s important to recognise that men who are harming and frightening women and children can change their behaviours if they are genuinely committed to doing this. But this will require their time and effort and getting the right help.
“Ostracising men using violence is not the best way to prevent them from continuing to cause harm to others.
“But public figures need to accept that if they are using or have used violence against women and children then the community can’t allow further harm to be caused to their victims or to other victim-survivors by celebrating them or giving them public platforms.”
The Camfield declined to comment, and directed queries to Z Entertainment.
“We recognise the significant impact to victims and the wider community and condemn these actions. We encourage and support passionate advocacy for victims, and on behalf of victims, of domestic violence,” a Z Entertainment spokesperson said.
“His unfolding journey is one that inspires and will be shared during the event from a heart of gratitude and incredible humility, providing genuine, tangible hope to many. We do not celebrate past indiscretions, rather provide a platform for insight to Ben’s journey and an opportunity for all that attend to learn from the experiences of another.
“Ben has regrets and acknowledges he hasn’t always presented his best self, often referring to the number of chances he’s been afforded as ‘more than I’d give’.
The spokesperson said the promotion of these events, and the content within, are not a celebration of indiscretions but an insight to this incredibly unique journey showing how high-performance sport and serious personal issues can coexist.
“However, there’s a vast difference from where he’s at – starting to talk about his indiscretions -to positioning him on a pedestal as the icon for rehabilitation, providing advice and guidance – the additional significant pressure aligned to this position could not be foreseen as beneficial.
“We manage Ben’s engagements and content aligned to his journey, which continues to evolve.”
However, Gray said they had yet to seen Cousins take any meaningful public accountability for his actions, and had often framed his domestic violence convictions as a byproduct of his drug use.
“He does have a history of family and domestic violence, including instilling significant fear in his ex-partner through stalking – I’m not sure if he has taken responsibility or accountability for that,” she said.
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