South Sydney Supports, Rapists and women bashers

[leagueiscrap]

The Rabbitohs have battled an image problem when it comes to their treatment of women since they were strongly condemned for the way they handled the Kirisome Auva'a case.

Now chairman Nick Pappas has come out swinging in a battle with Pru Goward – Australia's first minister for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Pappas says he has been wrongly portrayed by the minister in a case where his club was made to explain his stance in backing a young man who sexually assaulted a teenager.

In the lead-up to that issue, Souths were strongly criticised for allowing Auva'a to play last year and to be part of the winning grand final side.

Auva'a had pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend. And now they have been asked by the NRL to explain why their chairman involved himself with Luke Lazarus. For those who are unfamiliar with his case, Lazarus, 23, was last month sentenced to a maximum jail term of five years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and then bragging abouttaking her virginity.

In the early hours of May 12, 2013, he lured the 18-year-old into an alley behind his family's Kings Cross venue by telling her they were going to a VIP area. He anally raped her after she tried to leave.

Pappas was one of a number of high-profile identities who provided character references for Lazarus. It is stating the obvious to say that Pappas would find the behaviour of Lazarus to be abhorrent – Pappas is a decent man and a wonderful husband and father – but involving himself in this case in this manner would seem to be a major error of judgment.

At least, that's what you hope it is, as he is a highly intelligent man who was the legal mastermind behind theSouths takeover.

The question needs to be asked: how would he explain the endorsement of Lazarus' character to the family of the young girl who was treated as brutally as she was?

Pappas has been quick to condemn the media in recent times for their reporting on Souths dramas – but in this case his actions have been condemned.

As for Goward, she has slammed all those who provided references for Lazarus. Her view is a simple one: it's hard enough for victims to come forward without facing extra pressure from the accused having high-profile backers.

The NRL asked for its "please explain" because of interest from the public in the Pappas decision to provide a reference.

The NRL was not informed of Pappas' action prior to his coming forward. Pappas was contacted for comment and made it very clear that he thought Goward was off the mark with her comments.

"I have nothing further to say other than the minister has shown very little appreciation of the sentencing process. Nor based on her comments has she even read my own reference," he said. "I suggest you do so before writing anything."

Pappas said he could not provide the content of his reference, but provided the following to the court, where he said he has known Luke since he was young.

"I have always observed him to be respectful, courteous and obliging young man who has, on my observation, never displayed even a hint of unlawfulness in his conduct."

He said publication of the conviction had hit the extended family hard.

"These are people quite unused to the world of our criminal justice system and I know that all of their friends and acquaintances were in utter disbelief when news of the conviction reached the media.

"Above all, Luke has also expressed to me his continuing concern for the complainant and for the anguish she has undoubtedly experienced.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the personal torment that Luke has suffered during this period has had a life-changing and rehabilitative effect on him and for this reason I say to you with confidence that I believe that he will never reoffend again."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... mj2b9.html

same old pathetic NRL culture continues on

[King-Eliagh]

Jesus. The comma in the title of this thread shows a real lack of education.

I'm sorry but can you please delete it adumb? It's...it's just godawful to see and read for those of us who are educated.

[docker24]

Man all these woman should of done what they were told in the first place, whether it is as simple as forgetting to prepare sandwiches or simply iron their t-shirts or even a case of letting the dishes pile up.

[AFLcrap1]

Majak Daw says hi .

So once again dumbo takes the moral high ground .
Yet he will ignore this & plough on like the **** he is

[BruceOfRedfernNSW]

This thread ought to be struck off. It stinks. It has nothing to do with footy.

[King-Eliagh]

South Sydney supports (comma) rapists and women bashers... > the title still doesn't make no sense adumb ya clown.

[AFLsforPussies]

While on the topic, footy codes should come down much harder on players that beat their girlfriends or wives.

Is such a cowardly act to hit a female. Imagine if that was your younger sister being bashed. I would hate to think what I would attempt to do to the guy.