An Australian woman whose appearance was mocked by a TVNZ reporter has revealed she lost her teeth in a domestic violence assault.
Cairns mother of three Jessica Sewell featured in a story by 9News about her ex-boyfriend using her phone number to advertise a fake contest and leaving his car, without wheels in her driveway.
The story was shown during TVNZ's Breakfast show on Monday morning when reporter Wilson Longhurst commented "what a prize Jessica is" and focused on her missing teeth and brightly coloured hair.
On Tuesday Sewell told Stuff the comments were "nasty" and Longhurst should know her backstory before judging her.
Sewell said she had her teeth knocked out in a domestic violence incident, which was not connected to her ex-partner in the story.
"If people want to be shallow and have a go at people's looks and not understand the backstory, that's their problem," she said.
"If I had the money to get my teeth fixed, I would."
She said Longhurst needed to "grow up, get a bit of life experience, and go out and see the world instead of sitting in front of a desk".
"There are a lot of girls out there like me, who have had domestic violence so severely... they have to keep a smile on their face and keep going for their kids."
Sewell said she had received other negative comments online since the story aired and she wanted them to know that beauty is only skin-deep.
"I wish I could sit down and beat them at a game of chess – I bet my brain works just as good as theirs."
After making the comments, Longhurst apologised on-air to Sewell and viewers who had complained.
"What I said wasn't funny, it was quite frankly something that just slipped out, but it was a misogynistic comment and I'm sorry.
"I'm going to take a good, long hard look at myself once we get off air this morning because it just wasn't good enough and I'm really disappointed in myself... and I know a lot of you aren't happy with what I said."
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
