BCA goes into bat against violence towards women

THE Ballarat Cricket Association is taking a strong stance on violence against women, girls and families.

Deliberately timed to coincide with the end of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the BCA has unveiled a new framework to end violence against women.

The new blueprint – known as Policy 7, details how anyone can report violence against women and girls, with immediate escalation to emergency services where required.

It further outlines a formal response process — including safety checks, assessment, investigation and possible sanctions up to lifetime bans — with the right to appeal decisions.

The policy is complemented by the Procedure 12 complaints process, which explains how match-day incidents must be reported, including who can lodge a report and the required timeframes.

BCA president David Nichol said the stand against violence marks a significant commitment to preventing violence against women and girls within the sport and the wider Ballarat community.

“The Ballarat Cricket Association’s adoption of Policy 7 is about more than just a set of rules; it’s a powerful, visible commitment to our community,” he said.

“Launching this policy during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is deliberate.

“It sends a clear message that cricket has a role to play in stopping violence, and that fostering safe, respectful, and equal environments off the field is just as crucial as the game we play on the field.

“We stand with every woman and girl, and we expect nothing less than zero tolerance for gendered violence from every person associated with the BCA.”

 

The new policy is at the forefront of policy development for sporting organisations across the nation.

It establishes a clear framework for all BCA-affiliated players, officials, and clubs, emphasising the association’s zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence, both on and off the field.

The move aligns the BCA with broader community efforts, including those driven by the City of Ballarat, to eliminate gendered violence.

Lending its support to the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, the BCA shared key statements about respect and gender equality, including on the association’s social media platforms, from board members and club captains.

The BCA currently has 25 clubs, with approximately 3000 players.

BCA women’s cricket director Kathryn Kosloff said this included 362 female players across 27 senior women’s and junior under-17, under-14 and under-11 girls teams.”Cricket has a significant role in our community, and with that comes a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, both on and off the pitch,” she said.

“We want every player, supporter and community member to know that the BCA is committed to the safety of all women and ensuring respectful club environments where women can thrive.”

The policy and its accompanying procedure are designed to ensure safety, provide clear reporting pathways, and enforce strong accountability.

Key components include:

Reporting pathways: The policy outlines clear mechanisms for reporting violence against women and girls. Individuals can report through club integrity officers, the BCA, or anonymous channels.

Immediate escalation: It mandates the immediate escalation of serious concerns to emergency services where required to ensure safety.

 

Formal response process: The procedure details a formal and structured response process for all reports, including:

Safety checks: Prioritising the immediate safety and well-being of the victim-survivor.

Assessment and investigation: A thorough and confidential process to assess the complaint and gather evidence.

Sanctions: Clear disciplinary actions, which can range up to lifetime bans from participation in BCA-affiliated cricket for proven violations.

Right to appeal: The policy ensures a transparent process by including the right for parties to appeal disciplinary decisions.

Community leadership: By enacting the policy, the BCA reinforces its role as a leader in the sporting community, setting a high standard for respect, inclusion, and the promotion of gender equality.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, reach out for support. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) the 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic.