Why Ben Cousins' Cancelled Talk Matters for Ballarat’s Fight Against Gendered Violence

The George Hotel in Ballarat cancelled the ‘Raw’ speaking event featuring former AFL star Ben Cousins after a wave of community backlash. The decision was announced just over three and a half hours before the event was due to start.

Cousins was sentenced to 12 months in prison in 2017 for aggravated stalking and for breaching a family‑violence restraining order. A magistrate said he had subjected his former partner, the mother of his children, to “nine months of terror”.

In its apology, the hotel said it understood the “anger, disappointment and hurt” expressed by locals. It also clarified that it had not received, held, or processed any ticket‑sale funds and that it would review how prospective speakers and partners are assessed.

Katrina Bevelander, manager of the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault, said she was relieved the event was cancelled, adding that hosting someone who profits from past gender‑based violence “flies in the face of the hard work the community is doing”.

Beth McCann, director of strategy, policy and impact at Respect Victoria, called the cancellation “an important step towards creating a Ballarat where everyone is safe, respected and free from violence”.

Ballarat recorded 2,953 family‑violence incidents in the year ending December 2025, a slight rise from the previous year’s 2,926 cases. The Victorian government has pledged $9.8 million over four years for the Respect Ballarat initiative, which aims to prevent domestic violence through a “saturation model” of education and outreach.

The cancellation shows how community pressure can influence event decisions and aligns with Ballarat’s broader strategy to address gendered violence. By refusing to platform a figure with a violent past, the city reinforces its commitment to safer public spaces.

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