John Jarratt claims he was raped as child after sexual assault allegations

Earlier this month, Wolf Creek star John Jarratt was found not guilty of raping his former female housemate more than four decades ago. Now, the 66-year-old has spoken for the first time about the ordeal in a chat with Tara Brown on 60 Minutes and revealed that he was actually raped as a child.

Speaking on the program, Jarratt said he was 13 at the time and was assaulted by an 18 year old at boarding school.

“The idea of raping somebody is the most shocking thing in the world. I’ve been raped. I know what it’s like,” he said. “It’s a really terrible thing ­because I am a part of the MeToo movement too.”

The actor explained the impact the allegations against him had on his life, admitting he couldn’t do anything about the impact it had on his mental health, career and family.

“I call it media death row,” he told Brown. “You’re just stuck in it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Jarratt testified before the NSW District Court jury earlier in July. A jury of five men and seven women found him not guilty after deliberating for almost two hours.

The woman who accused the former Better Homes and Gardens host of rape claimed that he smelled of alcohol when he allegedly entered her room around 3am and woke her up by pulling off her sheets. She then claimed he ripped off her underwear before pinning her down and assaulting her. Jarratt denied the claims from the start and insisted in court that they had consensual sex.

During the interview, the Picnic at Hanging Rock actor claimed he didn’t find out about the allegation from the police, but instead the media. He also described his accuser’s version of what happened as “absolutely ludicrous”, but did admit to being unfaithful in his marriage.

“What was I thinking? My wife was in another room. It was a pretty dumb thing to do,” he said, but said it was consensual.

Meanwhile his wife, Rosa Miano, revealed the feeling of receiving the phone call.

Read more: Wolf Creek actor John Jarratt found not guilty of 1976 rape of former housemate

“The shock sets in,” she explained. “It’s very traumatic and you just know that it’s going to be so public and it’s such a personal thing.”

Miano found out about the infidelity eight years after it happened. She explained that it was “shocking” to know her friend and husband betrayed her.

“I've been hung for something I absolutely didn't do.” On day three of the trial, @realJohnJarratt prepared to take to the stand. #60Mins was there to capture every moment. pic.twitter.com/pZa7od12GI

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) July 14, 2019

Jarratt said the allegations were made at the peak of his career and when the MeToo movement was at its height.

“I feel that this person has looked at all that and thought – this guy’s doing all right. That’s my opinion that I think that she thought, pick on John Jarratt because he’s playing a psychopathic serial killer.”

As a result, the father-of-six claimed he was unemployed for 20 months and is calling for laws to be changed so no one is identified until someone is convicted. He said being a person in the public eye “makes it a million times worse” and that it’s “wrong” for someone to make up a lie and get away with it.

“I feel very cheated, because my career has ground to a halt,” he said. “I’m unemployable. I’m trying to find out how the hell I’m going to pay my lawyers and all the other debts that I’ve incurred through two years of unemployment. That’s where I’m at.”

Jarratt will proceed with defamation action against The Daily Telegraph.

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