Struggle Street: Featured Western Sydney locals set to sue SBS over their portrayal

WESTERN Sydney locals featured in SBS’s Struggle Street are ­preparing to team up with some inner-city law firms to take the broadcaster to court.

THE Western Sydney locals featured in SBS’s documentary Struggle Street are preparing to team up with some inner-city law firms to take the broadcaster to court.

The Daily Telegraph has learned lawyers from leading firms Shine and Gilbert + Tobin have spoken to people portrayed in the show and plan to stop next week’s ­episode from going to air.

It is understood some of the Struggle Street cast could also seek damages for being ­defamed by ridicule.

SBS SHOW IS NOT A RIGGED REALITY

An SBS promotional image of Struggle Street / Picture: Supplied

Human rights lawyer ­George Newhouse is meeting with a family featured in next week’s episode.

“Shine lawyers are acting for at least one family group and are seriously considering legal action to either stop the program from going ahead or removing scenes,” he said.

“Shine is prepared to act on a no-win, no-fee basis.”

Mr Newhouse said he was contacted by a concerned local lawyer after Wednesday night’s program aired.

He said he was particularly dismayed by the portrayal of a 16-year-old girl who said she was suicidal, homeless and the victim of rape.

Bailee, 16, from Struggle Street.

“I’m extremely worried about a young girl who’s ­exposed her most intimate feelings on national television,” Mr Newhouse said.

“SBS have a duty of care to that vulnerable young woman and I’m really ­concerned about her safety … there could be consequences if SBS failed in their duty of care to her.”

It is illegal to identify a ­victim of sexual assault in NSW without the informed consent of the person.

SBS, which is run by CEO Michael Ebeid, says it obtained that consent despite the show ­saying the girl was suffering from mental health issues.

“SBS and KEO Films are aware of their obligations ­regarding identification of people who may be entitled to certain legal protections. Careful consideration was given where applicable and appropriate steps were taken where necessary,” an SBS statement said.

Erin and Bailee from Struggle Street.

“We confirm ­informed consent was ­obtained from all participants to take part and that they were aware when they were being filmed at all times.”

It is also illegal to identify foster children without the permission of the minister ­responsible. A Department of Family and Community Services spokesman said that permission was not granted.

There could also be implications for families portrayed raising children in homes where drug use was rife. Legal sources believe FACS could be compelled to investigate.

Ashley and his wife Peta from Struggle Street.

TV RATINGS: STREETS AHEAD OF ITS RIVALS

CASHING in on the adverse publicity, Struggle Street’s first episode drew a massive 935,000 viewers nationally on Wednesday, making it No. 1 in its 8.30pm timeslot.

And it was the overall winner in Sydney, with a whopping 452,000 tuning in to see what all the fuss was about — 110,000 more than Ten’s MasterChef.

Struggle Street also won the night on ­social media, with the newly established Nielsen Twitter TV ratings ranking it No. 1 with 1.4 million impressions.

William from Struggle Street.

TRADIES HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND

Taylor Auerbach

STUDENTS at Mt Druitt TAFE have a question for SBS — why didn’t you ask us?

Disgusted by the broadcaster’s portrayal of their community as a jungle of poverty, drugs and abuse, the proud future tradies yesterday accused Struggle Street of cherrypicking the worst elements of their neighbourhood.

“There is good and bad in every community,” said 23-year-old Kelley Russell, who is training for a Certificate III in commercial cookery.

“There are people out there that are struggling but there are people out there thinking about their future.”

Mt Druitt TAFE students Nathan Bedworth and Luke Boehm have hit out at the show / Picture: Matthew Sullivan

Ms Russell, of Tregear, recognised many former classmates in the premiere episode and said she “was not surprised”.

Sheet metalworking trainees Luke Boehm and Nathan Bedworth, both 18, said the documentary made their local community look worse than it really was.

“It was pretty bad,” Mr Boehm said. “It made everyone look like idiots.” While Mr Bedworth said: “I thought it was a target … just trying to make Mt Druitt look bad.”

Western Sydney TAFE has 160,000 students, 87 per cent of whom find work or further study within six months of
their graduation.