Since going public with this abhorrent, most embarrassing confrontation, there has been a groundswell of support on social media, aligned to articles written by journalists from various mediums far and wide. This outrage and support suggests maybe now is an opportune time to address respect for women from those within the AFL community - a good place to start given we, the public, hold these athletes in such high esteem.

This is no longer about Billy Brownless. And as I've chosen to remain anonymous, this is not about me, nor my daughter. This is about how women in Australia regularly face such disrespect in public and are then defensively criticised for not being able to take a joke.

Women can take a joke, when it's a joke. Abusing women either physically or emotionally is not a joke and never will be. Now is the time for an organisation like the AFL to stand up and make a difference. Sadly the AFL Diversity program isn't resonating with those it should. A far greater public forum, worshipped by the target audience however, might just do the trick.

In my opinion, which is echoed by many on social media in the last 24-48 hours, The Footy Show on the Nine Network would be a good place to start. I'm quite certain that as the respectable father of a young daughter yourself, you would prefer a mainstream television program like The Footy Show, to be something you could sit down and watch together, some day.

The Footy Show condones and breeds this toxic behaviour. When it's on a major television network, perhaps the audience then believes this behaviour is acceptable. It must be, right? It's allowed to be broadcast after all. The odd apology dished out the following week for some buffoon's obnoxious, sexist comment the week prior, will do, won't it?