Essendon favourite son and former captain Dyson Heppell has taken to social media to talk about the responsibility all men have in regards to making sure women and girls feel safe and respected in the wake of the Sydney Swans sexual assault allegations.
Heppell said that all men should be having a moment of reflection on how they treat women and girls, and also how they can look to help them in uncomfortable situations.
"I feel I have to talk to the current situation for a quick minute now. Been around footy and sporting teams and that type of environment for a big part of my life," Heppell said via his Instagram account.
"I get it, I get the banter, I get the pressure, I get the expectations and I get the type of environment that can exist inside sporting teams. But there is one thing that should never, that should never be complicated and it's that women deserve to feel safe, that they deserve respect.
"Whatever the outcome of this current situation, I think it's an important moment for every man involved in sport or not to have a good look at himself. Being a footballer, being in a team, being with your mates, being drunk, carrying on after a win, none of these things change the responsibility we have to respect women."
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One in five women over the age of 15 have experienced a form of sexual assault in their lifetime, while 45 women have been killed in domestic violence acts in Australia in 2026.
Heppell continued by stating that a good culture in society or within a sporting club is based on keeping yourself, your friends and those around you accountable.
"Being a good bloke isn't just about how you treat your teammates, it's about how you treat women and especially when nobody is watching," he said.
"It's about recognising when someone is feeling uncomfortable, stepping in when your mate crosses the line. It's about having the courage to call out the behaviour that isn't right. Especially, when it is your mate.
"We talk a lot about building cultures in footy and this is what culture looks like, it's not protecting your mates at all costs, it's not laughing something off or looking the other way, it's respect, it's accountability. It's doing the right thing when it matters.
"To the women and the girls who are out there in the football and general community, you deserve nothing less. Men have a responsibility to be better. We can't just say we respect women, we have to show it."
The 34-year-old played 253 games for the Bombers across his 14-year career, winning an All-Australian blazer and a best-and-fairest in 2014. He was captain of Essendon from 2017-22 and is now a development coach at Collingwood.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available. You can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or 1800RESPECT for free, confidential support 24/7.
