From Riches to Rags: how being wrongly charged of rape cost John Jarratt his career

Rosa Miano photo

If you’re Australian, and even if you’re not, chances are you have heard of John Jarratt. Being one of Australia’s most iconic and well-known Actors, staring in big-budget movies since the ’70’s, having titles such as Wolf Creek, The Last Outlaw, and Picnic at Hanging Rock to his name.
Well as of 18th November 2017, he would be sadly known for an entirely different reason. He was accused of rape by a former housemate from over 43 years ago. The issue went to trial and he was proven innocent, though the accusation still haunts him today. He has since come out with a tell-all book “Assault by media” to share his side of the story.

Yesterday morning I took a call with John to speak about his new publication. Our conversation went as follows…

I ask John about his new book ‘Assault by Media’, complimenting him on how the book really gives an insight into what he was going through at the time before, during and after the trial took place. John recalls “When I realised I would be charged with the lack of evidence and the ridiculous, ludicrous statement that she put out plus the 43 years difference, I just could not believe that the police could read that and hand it on to the Department of Prosecutions, and I could be…