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Ally Langdon is being praised for her compassionate approach to interviews after sitting down with a terrified survivor of domestic violence during her gritty debut as the host of A Current Affair.
Kimbarlie O’Reilly broke down in tears after admitting she didn’t feel safe with her ex-boyfriend and abuser now out of jail.
Unable to continue, he got to his feet and walked away.
Langdon, 43, who took the reins from broadcasting legend Tracy Grimshaw, showed genuine concern for his teary-eyed guest, walking out of the interview and hastening to comfort her. out of camera
The move earned the former Today show host with 20 years of experience in journalism the admiration of viewers.
When domestic violence survivor Kim O’Reilly broke down by admitting she didn’t feel safe, Langdon showed her compassionate side.
“A Current Affair has been amazing, compassionate and supportive and believes in people like me trying to make a difference who know this system needs to change,” one person said.
Another wrote: “Allison Langdon wants to continue that message, that this process is broken and we must fix it to save lives.”
“What a debut for Ally Langdon in A Current Affair tonight,” commented a third.
Viewers also said they enjoyed the show’s more serious tone.
“True stories, not your usual best supermarket or neighbor stories from hell,” one person wrote.
Another commented, “If this is the direction the show is taking, I think I might watch it more often.”
A third said that ‘it was great to see her’ taking the lead on domestic violence and giving it the attention it needs.’
Ms O’Reilly, who also campaigns for reform of domestic violence laws, noted on her own social media how “compassionate” Langdon was.
Domestic violence victim and reform activist Kimbarlie O’Reilly was deliberately cast as Ally Langdon’s first guest on her A Current Affair debut.
Ms O’Reilly, who campaigns to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence, also noted on her own social media pages after the interview how “compassionate” Langdon was and how committed she is to shining a light on the Australia’s national shame.
Her ordeal began when her boyfriend, country footballer Jake Frecker, left her for dead on January 17, 2019, after beating her so badly that he smashed her eye socket and knocked out her teeth.
“When the police came that night…he grabbed his phone, put it in his pocket and said, ‘Tell them you fell,'” Ms O’Reilly told Langdon during the powerful interview.
He was sentenced to six years in prison, but was paroled on January 17, after serving less than four years.
Knowing that she suffers from PTSD, panic attacks, and nightmares, Ms. O’Reilly feels “let down” by the system and fears she will have to “go into hiding” for the rest of her life.
Allison Langdon has been widely praised for her debut in A Current Affair
“I don’t think I can live my life from now on, there’s no end in sight,” said Ms O’Reilly.
Langdon then asked ‘do you feel safe?’
“Not at all,” said Mrs. O’Reilly, breaking down in tears, covering her face with her hands.
‘Sorry.’
“Don’t apologize,” Langdon said quietly, placing a comforting hand on Mrs. O’Reilly’s knee.
It is very difficult to talk about this.
Do you want a moment? she asked Mrs. O’Reilly, who accepted the offer to stop filming.
Langdon then followed Ms. O’Reilly off camera to offer additional support.