Former Triple J host Gen Fricker claims the ABC failed to support her after on-air assault
Gen Fricker, a longtime Triple J host and comedian who was attacked on-air by a man who was known to be stalking her, has blasted the ABC for a lack of concern over her safety and for failing to provide her with any security before the attack.
Speaking on Marie Claire’s Finding Fearless podcast, Fricker said Kieren Gallagher had attempted to gain entry into the ABC building ‘seven or eight times’ before he made it into the Triple J studios, but that nobody told her about the threat.
Gen Fricker alleges the ABC failed to support her after she was attacked in the Triple J studios by a stalker
Gallagher broke into the studios in September 2018 and allegedly grabbed and kissed Fricker while a song played on air. He fled the building after the attack and was arrested days later.
Fricker alleges that Gallagher approached her at a stand up show before the attack and that she told the ABC about his presence but they failed to pass her concerns on to the security team. She also claims that the ABC failed to take responsibility after the event and did not respond adequately to her requests for an accountability report.
The event made her realise the ABC was just like ‘any other workplace’, said Fricker, and that despite the ‘cool glasses and jumpers’ the media company was still run by ‘straight, white, old males’ who are ‘oblivious to women and the issues that they face’.
After her comments on the podcast, Fricker doubled down on social media, saying in a since deleted Instagram post that she has plenty of stories to tell about management at the ABC and their treatment of staff.
The ABC denies it didn’t take Fricker’s concerns seriously, saying she was supported after the incident.
“As the ABC said to Gen at the time, we were devastated that the incident occurred and committed to supporting her recovery and return to work,” read the statement.
“The ABC provided constant care and support to Gen after the incident and throughout her remaining time at the ABC, over some 16 months, including additional personal security, counselling, transport, additional production and staff support, financial support and flexible working arrangements.
“We responded promptly and comprehensively to all of Gen’s concerns and needs and enhanced our security provisions for all ABC staff in response to the incident.”
The organisation went on to say it has a comprehensive security plan in place to respond to security issues and a dedicated Trauma lead and Workplace Health and Safety team. It did not address Fricker’s allegations that her concerns prior to the attack were ignored.
“We are grateful to Gen for her years of work at the ABC and Triple J and wish her the best,” concluded the statement.
Fricker announced her exit from Triple J at the end of 2019, saying she would be focusing on her stand up career. Gallagher was charged by police with ‘with stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear, trespass and common assault’ over the incident in 2018.
