Chief executive Libby Davies made it clear she could not comment on individual players or cases, but speaking in general terms she said the AFL still had a way to go to demonstrate consistency on these matters, regardless of the quality of the player.

She said any example of men using domineering or controlling behaviour against women needed to be addressed quickly.

"It's up to the AFL to demonstrate they're walking the talk," she said. "Clubs and the AFL must make a decisive stance of zero tolerance of violence against women."

Richmond star Dustin Martin has been in the spotlight this week, after allegations he stood over a woman and threatened to stab her in the eye at Japanese restaurant Mr Miyagi last Saturday night.

After investigating, the AFL announced on Thursday it would refer the matter to Victoria Police.

Their delay in doing so became the subject of some criticism, with questions raised over what authority the league had to examine the case.

Martin trained as usual with his teammates on Friday.

North Melbourne player Majak Daw was recently found not guilty of rape charges after having played and trained with the club while he waited for his court case to begin.

He was de-listed at the end of the 2015 season and the club picked him up again in the 2016 pre-season rookie draft.

When asked about whether the AFL would consider standing down players who faced charges of violence against women, a league spokesman said he could not comment.

He said although Davies was not speaking about any particular case, any view the AFL offered at this time would be judged in relation to Martin.

"There is a current matter that is being investigated by the police, due to its serious nature," he said.

"The AFL doesn't believe it is appropriate to be commenting around this issue while the police go through their investigation to determine what has occurred."

Davies said some clubs had been much more proactive than others in educating their players and staff about violence against women. She said within the AFL the Western Bulldogs was a leader in this area.

She said sporting clubs were a microcosm of society and they could play a significant role in mitigating men's violence against women and preventing it from happening.

"The men in sporting codes are heroes to many young men across Australia," she said.

Davies said players needed to live up to what was expected of them as role models.

"It's a big ask, but it goes along with the territory," she said.

Davies said most footballers managed to behave appropriately towards women, but it was still an issue which came up time and again.

She said when a woman made a complaint or raised an issue regarding a man's violent or threatening behaviour, it must be treated with the seriousness it deserved, especially given how difficult it could be to come forward.

This included dealing with the matter quickly, she said.