'As a victim of domestic violence I am appalled': Actress Rebecca Gibney defends Melissa George in lengthy Instagram post after social media trolls SLAMMED her tearful interview

By Josh Hanrahan and Faye James For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:10 EDT, 20 March 2017 | Updated: 11:30 EDT, 20 March 2017

Veteran actress Rebecca Gibney, 52, has spoken out in defence of Melissa George, after social media users slammed a tearful interview she gave about domestic violence.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, a day after the interview aired, Gibney posted a black and white image of herself and her sister Stella smiling.

However in the caption alongside the snap, she shared that she and her sister had both been subject to extensive domestic violence themselves.

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Defence: Veteran actress Rebecca Gibney has hit out at detractors of fellow Australian Melissa George, after social media users slammed a tearful interview she gave on Sunday evening

Defence: Veteran actress Rebecca Gibney has hit out at detractors of fellow Australian Melissa George, after social media users slammed a tearful interview she gave on Sunday evening

'No one would know that we were being raised in a family of domestic violence,' the former Packed to the Rafters actress wrote. 

'Last night on the Sunday program fellow actor Melissa George talked about being attacked by her former partner.

'[I] have been really disturbed by the reports of the online response to Melissa's interview.

Relatable: Melissa pleaded for 'help' during the interview and found support from Gibney (pictured), who told of her own experiences with domestic violence in a lengthy online post

Relatable: Melissa pleaded for 'help' during the interview and found support from Gibney (pictured), who told of her own experiences with domestic violence in a lengthy online post

'That somehow she deserved what happened to her. As a victim of domestic violence myself - I grew up in a household where violence toward our mother was a common occurrence - I am appalled that anyone can accuse a woman of ' asking' to be beaten.

She added: 'Domestic violence is wrong - violence in any form is wrong. Please let us remember how difficult it is for anyone that has been in this situation to speak out.' 

Melissa, who has made headlines recently following an alleged incident at the hands of her ex-partner Jean David Blanc, detailed how she attempted to flee France with her two children in her chat with Channel Seven program Sunday Night.

Sunday Night: In her interview, Melissa tearfully outlined the allegations of domestic violence, before later being slammed by viewers on social media and accused of 'hypocrisy'

Sunday Night: In her interview, Melissa tearfully outlined the allegations of domestic violence, before later being slammed by viewers on social media and accused of 'hypocrisy'

The mother-of-two's plea for 'help' after she was prevented from leaving France was met with mixed reaction online, however she found a supporter in Gibney who told of her own experiences with domestic violence in a lengthy online post.

In response to the interview, social media was loaded with comments accusing the 40-year-old actress of hypocrisy after her plea to Australia for help.

They pointed to a previously 'arrogant attitude' towards her birth nation and didn't hold back in their attack, despite many admitting they sympathised with her.

Another wrote: 'I'm sorry Melissa George has been a victim of DV but I stopped caring about her years ago after she behaved like a spoilt brat.'

Another wrote: 'I'm sorry Melissa George has been a victim of DV but I stopped caring about her years ago after she behaved like a spoilt brat.'

Adding to the fire, another said: 'Care factor ZERO... her arrogant attitude to Australia in the past, now she wants help?!!! Pfttttt.'

Adding to the fire, another said: 'Care factor ZERO... her arrogant attitude to Australia in the past, now she wants help?!!! Pfttttt.'

'I'm sorry Melissa George has been a victim of DV but I stopped caring about her years ago after she behaved like a spoilt brat,' one wrote.

'Care factor ZERO... her arrogant attitude to Australia in the past, now she wants help?!!! Pfttttt,' another brutally wrote on Twitter.

But on Monday, just after Melissa herself took to Instagram to put on a brave face as she 'made a wish' by throwing a coin into a fountain, Rebecca continued to defend her. 

Staunchly standing by Melissa, the legendary actress urged other people in a similar situation to never feel alone.

Custody battle: Melissa and her former lover are embroiled in a custody battle, with the French entrepreneur refusing to allow the pair's son Raphael and Solal to leave France

Custody battle: Melissa and her former lover are embroiled in a custody battle, with the French entrepreneur refusing to allow the pair's son Raphael and Solal to leave France

Revealing: During the interview Ms George said she had marks around her wrists, bruising on hip (pictured)
Painful: She also had bruising on her back (pictured), a broken inner lip and a huge lump above her eye as a result of the alleged attack

Revealing: During the interview Ms George said she had marks around her wrists, bruising on her back (right) and hip (left), a broken inner lip and a huge lump above her eye as a result of the alleged attack

Allegations: Ms George, 40,  said Mr Blanc,49, stood over her after 'repeatedly' striking her in the face and body and said: 'Now you're a real actress' 

Allegations: Ms George, 40,  said Mr Blanc,49, stood over her after 'repeatedly' striking her in the face and body and said: 'Now you're a real actress' 

'As a victim of domestic violence myself - I grew up in a household where violence toward our mother was a common occurrence - I am appalled that anyone can accuse a woman of "asking" to be beaten,' Rebecca's lengthy caption continued.

'Domestic violence is wrong - violence in any form is wrong.

'For anyone in a similar situation there is always someone who will listen. And you can get through it.' 

Jean firmly denies the allegations of violence. Last month, both he and Melissa were convicted of assault over the incident - a judgement both parties are appealing.

The couple first met in 2011 at a BAFTA after-party and welcomed their first son Raphael in February 2014 and their second son Solal in November 2015.    

STATEMENT FROM JEAN-DAVID BLANC

I wish to answer once and for all to the inaccurate information given by Melissa George.

The Paris’ Court decision consisting of a shared custody of our young children was based on very long and various social workers investigations as well as psychologic examinations.

This decision was ruled by the Judge who considered only the best interest of our children. That does not prevent Mrs George from working, as she's free to come and go to sets all over the world as she always did.

As regards to our children’s interdiction to leave French territory without my prior authorization, this decision, also ruled by the Judge, is the result of Melissa George's attempt to secretly leave the country with our children without my consent, which led me to file a criminal complaint for kidnapping attempt.

Regarding the supposed violence against Melissa George, I strongly contest it and have thus filed an appeal against the judgment, which is not final. I have always maintained that I had been attacked first and was only trying to protect myself. Melissa George was found guilty and charged for these offences.

Denial: Melissa's tell-all interview follows claims she was assaulted by her ex-partner Jean-David Blanc in Paris last September, a claim which Mr Blanc has since denied

Denial: Melissa's tell-all interview follows claims she was assaulted by her ex-partner Jean-David Blanc in Paris last September, a claim which Mr Blanc has since denied

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