LATEST: Police called in over topless photo with Richmond medal

RUMOUR FILE UPDATE

Police have launched an investigation into how a photo showing a topless woman wearing a 2017 Richmond premiership medal came to be shared on social media.

As first reported on the 3AW Rumour File last week, the photo has been shared prolifically on social media and other digital platforms for more than a week since the Tigers won the AFL Grand Final.

Police last night confirmed they are investigating the distribution of the image, which they say was posted without consent.

The image was brought to Richmond’s attention on Friday, but on Monday night Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, when asked about the image on the ABC’s Q&A program, said she had only learnt of the image hours earlier.

O’Neal said she expected an investigation to begin.

This morning, Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton told Neil Mitchell he knew of no investigation.

But last night police confirmed “Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an image distributed on social media”.

“The image was posted without consent.

“As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

‘REVENGE PORN’ EXPLAINED

Associate Professor Nicola Henry, an RMIT lecturer and expert in image-based abuse, said the matter could fall under so-called ‘revenge porn’ laws.

“But we actually don’t like the term ‘revenge porn’,” she said, explaining that ‘revenge’ was not a necessary factor.

Professor Henry told Ross and John “we need to do a lot more around education” when it comes to the risks and implications of publishing content online.

“We also need to put more pressure on social media companies,” she said.

“Unfortunately in the digital age it is very difficult to have have that material removed once it’s out there.”

Click PLAY for her full interview with Ross and John

O’NEAL CALLS FOR MODERNISED RESPECT POLICY

On Monday, a Q&A audience member told Ms O’Neal “We can only guess who took the photo and who sent it, but it would seem one of your players is involved. How does that represent (the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy)… and does Aussie Rules have a problem with women?”.

In response, Ms O’Neal said the clubs were leaving the AFL behind when it came to enforcing the Respect and Responsibility Policy.

“The Respect and Responsibility Policy was the start. It hasn’t been updated, it hasn’t been modernised,” she said.

“The clubs are much more strict on themselves than the AFL is with the Respect and Responsibility Policy.

“An update was promised almost two years ago and we still don’t have it.”