Tayla Harris has demanded action be taken against vile trolls who made her feel ‘sexually abused’ and left her ‘fearing for her safety’.
The Aussie Rules star was targeted with derogatory comments after a picture of her playing for the Carlton Blues was posted on social media.
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This is the image of Tayla Harris which sparked outrage
The 21-year-old, who is also a professional boxer, is famed for her famous kicking style and Australian broadcaster Channel Seven were keen to capture her in full flight, accompanying the picture with the caption; “Great athlete at her most powerful.”
But a number of lewd and sexual comments were posted underneath the image on social media and the TV network took the picture down, before reinstating it with an apology and a promise to ban trolls from the page.
In an interview with RSN radio on Wednesday, Harris called on the AFL and even the police to take action.
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Harris addressed the issue in a press conference on Wednesday
She said: “If these people are saying things like this to someone they don’t know on a public platform, what are they saying behind closed doors, and what are they doing?
“These people need to be called out by the AFL, yes, but also taken further. Maybe this is the start of domestic violence, maybe this is the start of abuse.
“The comments that I saw were sexual abuse, if you can call it that, because it was repulsive and it made me uncomfortable so as soon as I’m uncomfortable with something like that that’s what I would consider sexual abuse on social media.
“So, whether it’s Victoria police, whatever it is, need to at least contact these people, some sort of warning, Facebook delete them, something needs to happen.
“We can talk about it as much as we want but they’re not listening and they are probably smiling about it.”
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The 21-year-old played six matches with Carlton in 2018 and kicked five goals
Harris went on to express concerns about her safety, saying she could be targeted by sexual predators in the future.
She said: “These people are behind screens now but no one’s saying they aren’t going to show up at the footy at the weekend.
“I genuinely consider that they might show up at the footy. If they’re thinking this way and able to write it down, what are they going to do when I’m on sideline meeting some kids – that’s what I’m going to have to think about now.
“As much it shouldn’t be the case at all, that’s the reality of it.”
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Her social media responses also drew admiration from fans and fellow sports stars across the globe.
On Twitter Harris posted: “Here’s a pic of me at work… think about this before your derogatory comments, animals.”
While in an Instagram post, she wrote: “My hamstring is OK but derogatory and sexist comments aren’t.”
Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison branded the abusers “cowardly grubs” as he offered his support to Harris.
“I think they’re grubs. I think they’re cowardly grubs, who need to wake up to themselves,” he said.
“They’re acting out some kind of hatred in a way that lessens them as people. We should give them no quarter and we should treat them as the grubs they are.”
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