Trigger Warning: this article deals with sexual assault and may be triggering to some readers, if you or someone you know needs help you can call 1800 Respect at 1800 737 732 or Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia at 1800 424 017.
Influencer and reality star Abbie Chatfield and former Married at First Sight participant Ryan Gallagher have clashed over Instagram in their responses to a controversial joke from Australian comedian and writer Nikki Osborne.
Nikki posted a meme featuring a photo of Lindsay Lohan with Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood producer who was convicted for sex crimes last year after years of reported harassing behaviour.
It read “the original ‘no jab no job’, referencing current discussions in Australia about mandating vaccinations against COVID-19.
Abbie, a staunch advocate for sexual assault survivors, was quick to respond.
“Imagine as a female in the industry thinking it’s funny to make fun of sexual assault and rape victims. Imagine being in this f***ing industry and thinking that’s funny,” she said on her Instagram Stories.
“Was that a ‘pick me’ moment? Was that ‘I didn’t need to do that to get to my career?’ Or do you just like punching down? What is it?” Abbie demanded.
“If you want some explanation to this, jokes about rape aren’t funny, unless it’s about your own sexual assault as a coping mechanism. Have you been sexually assaulted Nicky?”
“For you to sit there and make a joke likening the vaccine that is saving lives … to rape is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my entire f***ing life.”
However, Ryan was quick to notice Abbie’s response and jump in to defend Nikki, a close friend of his.
“Mate leave her alone … it’s a joke, [sic] your going after her and bullying her with your following,” he told Abbie via direct message, which Abbie publicly shared.
“It’s a bloody joke, she’s a female, she’s a great comedian and a wonderful person give her a break,” he wrote.
“Nah, it’s a disgusting joke,” Abbie responded.
“I’m not bullying her. She posted a rape joke.”
Ryan then took to his own stories with a response where he refused to directly name Abbie.
“There’s someone obviously online saying things, twisting words and saying that I believe in rape and stuff like that, like come on, let’s not get our Instagram army and bully people like you do everyone…” he began.
“You say you’re a feminist and then you put every woman down on the planet. Tell me the last thing I posted on here that put a woman down, I’m more of a feminist than she is,” he claimed.
““She’s like that girl from school that just had an opinion about everything and just wanted her own way…” he said of Abbie.
Matt Agnew, who starred on The Bachelor with Abbie in 2019, also weighed in on the situation.
“Nikki Osborne has put out into the world very publicly a joke, and I think it is of paramount importance to address some enormous issues with said ‘joke’,” he wrote in a post.
“As always, it is the points I want to discuss and challenge, not the person.
“Male sexual violence towards women is normalised and legitimised through humour. It is imperative that men especially contest the mechanisms that further enable this to make real cultural and systemic change,” he explained.
“The trivialisation and belittling of one of the most horrendous acts you can inflict upon another human is not only grotesquely distasteful, but astonishingly disrespectful and traumatising to the victims. A “joke” should not be hurting the victims,” Matt clarified.
“There are certain social responsibilities and moral obligations you inherit if you have an audience. It is a privileged position that grants public figures with words that carry considerably more weight and influence.”
“The moment you broadcast your thoughts, opinions, ‘jokes’, whatever else publicly: you are open to criticism.”
“Perfect wording as per. An ally,” Abbie commented on his post.
“Thank you bro,” wrote advocate Tarang Chawla.
“This is my favourite post you have ever done! You couldn’t have explained this any better. Thanks Matt for voicing on this as a guy in our generation. This is needed,” author and actor Suzan Mutesi said in response.
While Nikki has not directly responded to Matt and Abbie’s accusations publicly, she did put up a note on her own Instagram Stories to address the backlash.
“Dear Mob, you’ve been misinformed. Your quarrel is not with me. I’m on your team.
“Warmest, Casting couch survivor.”
If you or someone you know needs help you can call 1800 Respect at 1800 737 732 or Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia at 1800 424 017.
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