Final episodes of Struggle Street left viewers shocked rather than offended

SYMPATHY has quickly turned to revulsion, with a heavily-pregnant woman filmed puffing on a bong during the Struggle Street finale.

SYMPATHY for the participants of controversial SBS documentary Struggle Street well and truly ran out last night when a heavily pregnant mum was filmed puffing on a makeshift bong.

Viewers watched in horror as Billie-Jo Wilkie, in the final stages of pregnancy, smoked cigarettes and did pot.

In one confronting scene, the 21-year-old sat in a bathroom smoking out of a modified soft-drink bottle while being lectured about “only smoking cones from now on”.

Last-night’s fast-tracked finale focused on Billie-Jo and Bob, whose drug-taking and attitude towards life sparked the most reaction on Twitter.

Heavily-pregnant Billi-Jo puffs away on a makeshift bong on last night’s Struggle Street finale.

Filmmakers have defended Struggle Street against claims it unfairly maligned its subjects, insisting the “fly-on-the-wall observational documentary” aimed to its give viewers an “eye-opening glimpse at real life in under-resourced Australian communities”.

Following the public backlash and media scrutiny last week, Struggle Street was trending on Twitter well before the show went to air with many accusing the broadcaster of “poverty porn”.

But the mood quickly changed.

Viewers expressed anger at the scenes, labelling Bille-Jo “disgusting” and wondering out loud if she could be reported to child welfare authorities for harming her unborn child.

The show was filmed in Mt Druitt, in Sydney’s west.

Before the show even went to air, the 30-second promo resulted in more than 1500 people signing a petition to have it pulled altogether.

This shit is horrifying. #strugglestreet

— Hero (@HieroHero) May 13, 2015

Yeah smoking cones is good for the baby hey #StruggleStreet

— Josh Howe (@JoshO567) May 13, 2015

I'm struggling to find my compassion for a pregnant bong smoker who already has two children in care #StruggleStreet #SBS

— matthew fraser (@matthewjfraser) May 13, 2015

Despite the narrator, Struggle Street is heart breaking stuff. Lucky Country hey... #StruggleStreet @SBS

— Josh Aitken (@joshaitken) May 13, 2015

Last week’s show mostly focused on Peta and Ashley Kennedy and their families, including ice-addicted son Corey.

“We’re shocked, gutted and I feel very hurt. I did not agree to go on the show to be made a fool of. None of us did,” Peta Kennedy told New Idea last week.

“This has caused so much heartache and drama ... we had no idea we were going to be portrayed this way. I feel they have totally and cruelly humiliated my husband.”

Last week’s hourlong premiere smashed it in the ratings for SBS. With 935,000 viewers tuning in, it delivered the broadcaster its best ratings of the year and was the most-watched program in the 8.30pm timeslot.

Some of these stories are real sad. Mental disorders in people are being ignored. Not much help there. :/ #strugglestreet

— Lynda Phoa (@Lyndzzz) May 13, 2015

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali staged a protest, sending 10 rubbish trucks to block SBS’ North Sydney headquarters on Wednesday before the network eventually agreed to modify the promo clip and cut certain scenes from the show, including one of Ashley Kennedy farting on camera.

Residents who took part in the program said they felt they had been misled as well as ridiculed.

And while last week’s reaction to the show was mixed, last night was different. More people were shocked by how grim life appeared for some people rather than offended by how it was presented.

However it did highlight how some were trying to break the vicious cycle they were born into, including Chris, who despite the hardships he has faced, was trying to make a better life for himself.

Chris and Michelle from Struggle Street. Picture: SBS

It is heartening to see Chris trying hard to improve his life and help others do the same. I hope he continues on this path. #StruggleStreet

— Julieanne Horsman (@JustJulieanne) May 13, 2015

This is heartbreaking #StruggleStreet

— Hayley (@hayleyelg) May 13, 2015

#StruggleStreet is turning out to be a truly empathetic documentary. Really appreciate the lack of blaming or shaming.

— Dan gotta Budget (@thecartodiv) May 13, 2015

#StruggleStreet - What a cop out #ADHD as an excuse for failure and excuse to be a #welfare recipient for being overlooked for a job 😡

— Peter Oataway (@PetefromHayNSW) May 13, 2015

what a put up job #StruggleStreet is - they can't even get their lies straight. They all deserve exactly what they have.

— ArabellaSL (@ArabellaSL) May 13, 2015