Woman who accused Hawks coaches of forcing her to abort baby won’t give evidence at AFL probe

The Indigenous woman who accused former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan of inciting her to have an abortion will not participate in the AFL’s independent investigation into historic claims of racism at the club.

Given the pseudonym “Amy” to protect her identity, the woman Gunditjmara and Bunitj were identified as the alleged victim in a statement from Marque Advocaten.

The statement claims she was treated “horribly” by the Hawthorn Football Club when news of her pregnancy came out.

The woman described the ongoing AFL investigation as “unsafe” and stressed that she will not agree to silencing tactics, the Herald Sun reported.

“It’s a little hard to say something when it feels like your voice box has been ripped out of your throat,” Amy said in the statement.

“I could either remain numb and silent, or I could find my voice and play my part in the struggle to try to create safety and protection for our young people who would inevitably have to deal with these systems.”

The explosive statement labels the AFL as “dishonest” and also claims the trial will be independent “a lie.”

Clarkson, Fagan and former Hawks official Jason Burt — all named in the allegations in the September Hawthorn Cultural Safety Report — have vehemently denied all allegations.

This week, Clarkson formally began his new role as North Melbourne head coach, while Fagan returned to the helm of the Brisbane Lions.

Marque Laywers’ statement, released Wednesday, accuses the AFL’s carefully selected attorneys of assisting the investigative panel.

“While we will not defame the nominated members of the investigative panel, the entire process will be conducted under the control of the AFL and for the purposes of the AFL,” the statement said.

“If the AFL is genuinely concerned about exposing and exposing the full-blown racist abuse of First Nations players and their families by one or more of its clubs, then it should engage a third-party agency with the appropriate expertise, who is completely independent.” of the AFL operates. to launch a wide-ranging investigation into the systematic racial abuses the Hawthorn revelations brought to light.

Instead, the AFL’s own attorneys assist the Commission of Inquiry and correspond with parties on its behalf.

“A lawyer was also appointed to represent the players and families, without being asked what they wanted or taking into account the diversity of their interests.

The investigative report becomes the property of the AFL, which decides when and how it will be released.

“It continues the pattern of abuse it supposedly addresses.”

Marque Lawyers also refuted AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan’s statement that the case was “brought to the AFL by Hawthorn — at the request of the families.”

TV identity Tony Armstrong has weighed in on the investigation and expressed his sympathy for ‘Amy’.

He praised her strength in a tweet on Wednesday, before calling the case “another day in the colony.”

Meanwhile, Clarkson – who started his first day as North Melbourne coach on Wednesday – told reporters he is looking forward to clearing his name.

“It’s been four or five tough weeks for all of us and what we do know is that taking care of our players has always been the top priority of our football club,” he said.

‘There is much more depth and history in what happened, but the investigation gives us the opportunity to map that out.’

Clarkson stressed that the allegations remain unfounded, and the AFL said it was hopeful that the case will be concluded before Christmas.