Melbourne Storm psychologist sanctioned after ‘weak’ evidence in former player Curtis Scott’s domestic violence court case
The former partner of disgraced NRL player Curtis Scott has successfully imposed sanctions on Melbourne Storm psychologist who refused to testify against him in court.
Tay-Leiha Clark was attacked by convicted domestic violence offender Scott in 2018 while he was a player for the Melbourne Storm.
The former NRL player’s partner then went to psychologist Jacqueline Louder seeking help, but the Melbourne Storm employee gave ‘weak’ testimony in court.
Louder has worked as a sport and exercise psychologist at the Melbourne Storm since 2017 and at AFL club Collingwood since 2018.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she is still employed by both football clubs.
In the complaint, Clark alleged Louder was aware of the alleged physical and verbal abuse she suffered at the hands of Scott during his time with the Melbourne Storm.
But she refused to recant that knowledge in court, leading to a 12-month investigation by Australia’s health watchdog.
Scott was found guilty in 2022 of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and intimidation of Clark.
Tay-Leiha Clark has filed a complaint with Australia’s health watchdog AHPRA
The court heard evidence from the Melbourne Storm psychologist during Scott’s trial
Scott was found guilty of three separate charges and his appeal was unsuccessful
Magistrate Daniel Covington ruled the former NRL star had assaulted Clark during an incident at her parents’ home in Sylvania, causing injuries to her head, forearm and wrist.
In addition, it was discovered that Scott punched Clark to the ground while on holiday at Lake Conjola on the NSW south coast.
He was also found guilty of making threats to kill both Clark and himself during a verbal altercation, after which he deliberately drove his car into a tree.
However, Scott was cleared of other charges, including an allegation of choking Clark during an argument on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final.
He failed to have the decision overturned on appeal and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and a $1,400 fine.
Scott was dismissed by the Canberra Raiders prior to his assault trial and was ineligible for re-registration by the NRL following the verdict.
He is currently trying to build a career in boxing and recently knocked out former AFL star Barry Hall.
Curtis Scott was a promising NRL player who was on the verge of being selected for State of Origin
Scott is now trying to build a career in boxing and recently knocked out AFL bad boy Barry Hall at the Wollongong Entertainment Center
Louder gave evidence in court during Scott’s trial, but Clark alleged in her complaint to AHPRA that the Storm psychologist knew more than she testified.
District Court Judge Alister Abadee described Louder’s evidence as “inherently weak” during Scott’s 2023 appeal.
Now, Clark has claimed on social media that Louder has been sanctioned by the AHPRA.
“The Melbourne Storm psychologist to whom I reported my abuse in 2018 was sanctioned by APHRA this week following a nearly 12-month investigation,” she posted on social media platform X.
“Let this remind us that silence and complicity have no place in the fight against domestic violence.”
Tay-Leiha Clark posted this message on social media after the conditions were imposed on the Melbourne Storm psychologist
The Melbourne Storm, who play the NRL Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday, have been contacted for comment.
A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency confirmed conditions had been imposed on Loader’s registration.
The Psychology Board of Australia has ordered Loader to work under the supervision of another psychologist in the areas of consent, confidentiality, multiple relationships, conflicts of interest, maintaining boundaries and recognizing and managing domestic and family violence concerns.
She must comply with mandatory reporting requirements and continue until the conditions are lifted by the board.
Scott found an NRL lifeline with the Canberra Raiders but was sacked before his domestic violence trial over a separate incident
Scott was convicted of domestic violence in 2022 and was deemed ineligible for re-registration by the NRL
Loader is also only allowed to practice at her current place of employment, the Melbourne Storm, Collingwood Football Club and her private practice, and cannot operate in a senior or supervisory role until the conditions are lifted.
“On October 1, 2024, the Psychology Board of Australia imposed conditions on Jacqueline Louder’s registration,” the spokesperson said.
‘The details of those conditions are on the AHPRA register of practitioners.
“We cannot comment on individual cases, except to the extent the information is in the public domain.”
Louder gave a statement to police in 2022 that was used in court during Scott’s trial, where Storm wrote that she never saw any physical violence between the then-couple.
She also wrote that neither party indicated any physical harm had occurred between them.
“I understood that this was a very emotional relationship that formed the basis for most of their arguments,” she wrote.
“I was referring to emotional safety when I said safety.”
During Scott’s appeal, Judge Abadee said Louder was “intentionally or unintentionally” in a position of “actual or potential conflicting duties,” balancing her role as the Storm’s psychologist for the appellant and as a confidant for the complainant .