I Know Another Woman…

I’ll never forget those words.

Let’s backtrack to two days before.

On 27 March 2016, I sent out this email to my mailing list. The story was due to break the next morning –

——————————————

, on Easter Monday, New Idea Magazine will feature an interview with me – and it has NOTHING to do with food or cooking.

I’m sorry the rest of this email sounds vague – there’s a reason for this – which I’ll reveal in the coming days.

You see, I’ve been keeping a secret for nearly 4 ½ years but have decided to come forward because of some new information that was given to me earlier this month.

I wish I had this information when I did an internet search back when this started; it would have saved me from all that has ensued.  That’s why I’m speaking out – I believe it is important that other potential victims are warned about it.

I’ve given a mountain of evidence to New Idea to back up my story, and it’s been vetted by their lawyers.

Depending on the kind of blowback I get once the story breaks, I will release the evidence online to defend myself.

I will speak a lot more about it after the first 48 hours of the story coming out – and will fill in the gaps for you.

I want you to know that but for the fact that it affects other people (and will continue to do so), I would never have spoken out. In fact, most people I’ve talked to think I should keep quiet because they think it’ll damage my reputation and disrupt my life, so please don’t think this is about publicity.

This is not the sort of spotlight I relish – I’d much rather be known for my food and my Down Syndrome advocacy.

If you’re in Australia, please pick up a copy of Easter Monday’s New Idea.  Once you’ve read it, if you decide to stand with me, please share the story with everyone you know and every media outlet you have access to.

Thank you , from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your support.

Jackie M.

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My email subscribers are meant to be my most loyal followers. I like to keep it fairly exclusive; rather than try to push hard for subscribers, I’ve been known to delete annoying people from it.

I hate showing vulnerability; that had been a tough email to write.

This was the first reply to hit my Inbox –

Peter – Please remove me from this conversation. I don’t indulge in gossip, I’m only interested in your food.

Me – Based on your response I’ve deleted you from my subscriber list. 

Peter – That was a bit petulant.

Me – I would say the same about you. 

Peter – You’ve just lost a fan.

Me – Trust me, it’s not a loss.

(As you can see, I’m real mature.)

I found out after that interaction, that Peter was that same creepy guy who had commented on too many of my social media posts for months. Contrary to his high email horse, they weren’t always food-related either. Weirdo.

After that inauspicious start to my campaign, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  At the time the New Idea story broke, there were only 3 known women, including myself.

I ploughed on with this post on my website (since updated), and shared it on social media.-

http://jackiem.com.au/2016/03/28/new-idea-magazine-story/ 

Again, more negativity.

In response, I wrote my first post at Medium.com/@JackieM  – “Did he say this to you? Then you’re not special.”

And…BINGO!

That same night, I received this message from a stranger – a man from halfway across the world –

I know another woman. A mother. I am sharing this with her. (…) 

I think she needs to know this. 

Thank you for sharing. This could not have been easy and I am very sorry for all that have been impacted. 

My friend will be upset. (…)

I am so sorry. Men should honour women. Especially mums….

Mar 29 · Sent from Mobile

I just about fell off my chair. My decision to come forward had been vindicated.

Our conversation continued like this (with parts redacted for brevity and confidentiality)-

(…)

Man – So she is number 4 out of what appears to be many. Wow…

Jackie M. – Yes.

Man – She will kill him

Jackie M. – I would kill him myself.

Man – She cannot go public. That’s her fear.

Jackie M. – I understand. Same with the other two women.(…) 

Man – Wow.

Jackie M. – He’ll soon learn he f*cked the wrong woman.

Man – Amen. Good luck to you all

Woman #4 got in touch with me after my initial exchanges with her friend. We continue to communicate to this day.