Comedian and triple j host Gen Fricker has spoken publicly for the first time since she was allegedly assaulted by a man who had been stalking her for several months.
Police allege that the man, 31-year-old Kieren Gallagher, who has since been arrested, snuck into the ABC building in Sydney‘s Ultimo by closely following a staffer as they scanned through security. There he is believed to have grabbed and kissed Fricker in the triple j studios area, before fleeing the scene when security was called.
In a post to social media from earlier today – a photograph was posted to both Facebook and Instagram – Fricker thanks the people who have reached out to her since the horrifying incident. She writes:
Right now I feel like I’m relearning how to be in the world and it’s an excruciatingly slow process but I’m trying to do the things I can. I’m not sure about the future, but right now, I am grateful and ok.
Her post has already received the support of fellow triple j hosts Veronica Milsom and Bridget Hustwaite.
Fricker has not returned to the radio since the assault, but has appeared – and will appear again next week – on Have You Been Paying Attention? She has also kept a string of scheduled stand-up gigs.
Gallagher was arrested at Central Station, where he was sleeping rough, and charged on September 10 with stalking, entering enclosed lands without permission and common assault.
The Sydney Morning Herald writes that they have seen court documents which demonstrate that Gallagher had been stalking Fricker since May “with the intention of causing her physical or mental harm“.
The documents further say that when Gallagher appeared via AV link at Central Local Court after his arrest, he seemed to be “aggressive, highly agitated and abusive“.
After the assault, the ABC increased security presence on the premises, with a statement issued to media last week saying that all affected employees are receiving their full support:
There was a security incident at the ABC Ultimo Centre last week. A man has been arrested and the matter is now before the court.
All affected employees are receiving support and have asked for privacy.
The security and safety of our employees is of paramount importance and the ABC is reviewing the incident.
