If Matthew Newton’s A Current Affair interview was his opening shot at public redemption, it was a misfire.
Both the actor and A Current Affair seemed to want the Australian public to swallow the troubled star’s “cathartic” TV tell-all and wave him off cheerfully on his road to professional rehabilitation.
But, there was one big thing lacking – free and easy use of the “s” word.
We needed to see Newton acknowledge his behaviour with an uncomfortable honesty, we needed prime-time repentance and we needed a genuine apology.
Instead, we got to see Newton showing Grimshaw a large black bag full of his medication and long, lingering shots of the former Underbelly star wandering around a park looking contemplatively off into the distance.
Time and again Newton went into detail about episodes of self-harm, but skirted specifically acknowledging the hurt he had caused Brooke Satchwell and Rachel Taylor.
Facing Grimshaw, under glaring TV lights, Newton seemed to dodge accepting responsibility for his violent outbursts, instead repeatedly blaming his behaviour on his manic depression.
While Newton’s decision to speak publicly about his struggle with mental illness is commendable, his apologies were watered down by his reflex to blame everything on his disease, not himself.
It was only after prompting from Grimshaw that Newton finally uttered the word everyone had been waiting for.
“Of course I’m sorry,” he said.
But then he added: “My biggest mistake was not knowing I needed treatment sooner than I did.”
This Friday is White Ribbon Day. Courtesy of Newton’s ACA interview, there is little doubt that this week will see renewed public discussion about domestic violence and mental illness.
“People will think what they think and I’m not here to convince anybody of anything,” Newton told Grimshaw.
Right you are, Matthew.
UPDATE: White Ribbon Australia have put out this response to Newton’s interview, arguing that he clearly is not taking enough responsibility for his actions.
On Channel 9s A Current Affair last night, Monday 21st of November, Matthew Newton was interviewed by Host Tracey Grimshaw about his abusive relationships with past girlfriends.
White Ribbon Australia, the largest male-led campaign to stop violence against women, was mentioned in the story.
White Ribbon Australia would like to put forward Ambassador and well-respected Australian expert on gender and sexuality studies from Wollongong University, Dr. Michael Flood, to comment further on this story.
Dr Michael Flood says that Matthew Newton is clearly not taking enough responsibility for his actions:
“Matthew Newton’s story puts the spotlight on some men’s use of violence against women. But it also misleads. Men who’ve abused a partner are more likely to stop if they acknowledge their violent behaviour and the harm it has caused others, make a commitment to change, address their sexist beliefs and sense of entitlement in dominating partners; and seek professional help in perpetrators’ programs,” says Michael.
“So far, Matthew Newton hasn’t done enough to take responsibility for his actions or commit himself to changing them.
“Matthew Newton emphasised the influence of mental illness on his violence. Yes, mental ill health can be a risk factor for violence. But most men who abuse and control their partners aren’t suffering depression or other mental ill health. Instead, they’re using violence because they feel entitled to do so. Their violence is one way they seek to dominate their partners. Men’s violence against women is a symptom of gender inequalities and our culture’s tolerance for violence.”
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