Broadcaster Tony Veitch talks to the media after appearing in the Auckland District court in 2009.

The father of the woman who was attacked by Tony Veitch, has responded to a column written by the broadcaster, calling it self-serving propaganda.

On Sunday a piece written by Veitch was published by his employer NZME, where he said he made a "huge mistake" in abusing Kristen Dunne-Powell in 2006.

In a column published by his employer, NZME, on Sunday, Veitch says there was "no justifiable answer" for his actions, as he acknowledged his wrong-doing.

"It is 10 years since I turned from the man I'd always wanted to be, to a man I could not control," he wrote in the column.

In response Dunne-Powell's father Steve Dunne said in a statement that in the 10 years since Tony Veitch had broken his daughter's back, she had rebuilt her life completely.

"However, I wish she was not forever more connected to this man. I have witnessed her pain again today, on what should be a special day for her and our family.

The constant reminders of this public case also haunt her as she attempts to go happily about her daily life," Dunne wrote.



If this "apology" showed genuine remorse, it would have been given privately to our daughter.

She has never received one. So who gains from this public "apology"? And actually is it an apology at all? Tony, to atone for your actions, you must stand in the complete truth.

READ MORE:

* I wish my daughter was not forever connected to Tony Veitch

* Tony Veitch apologises for 'stupid' Facebook post

* Social media attacks on Tony Veitch 'opportunistic'

* We need to make it easier for domestic violence victims to speak out

* Tony Veitch police file released

Veitch wrote that he took responsibility for his actions, which have seen him distanced from family and friends.

"In January 2006 I made a huge mistake, a grave misjudgment on my behalf that has impacted the lives of many people and for that I am truly sorry.

"Even though it was the only time that I have ever lashed out in my life, once was too much. I should have walked away, but instead I hurt someone and I can't ever make that go away.

"I have spent hours alone and in counselling sessions considering my actions that night and wondering why I ever allowed myself to get to that point."

"Poor judgment on my behalf changed so much that day and I apologise unreservedly for that. I live with what I did every day and as a result of my role in media, I live with it everywhere.

"My story is public and while that's hard personally, maybe it is a good thing. Perhaps somewhere it might help someone else make a better decision. Hopefully it can be a small part of the process of educating New Zealanders that family violence is not okay.

"To think of myself as a component of New Zealand's horrendous family violence statistics is appalling to me. I have embarrassed my family, my Mum and Dad who taught me right from wrong and who taught me to be a good person."

White Ribbon campaign manager Rob McCann said Veitch should be focusing on apologising directly to Kristin Dunne-Powell – not on the toll the incident took on himself.

The organisation supported ambassadors who were formerly domestic violence perpetrators themselves, and who had reformed and gone on to educate other men, he said.

Part of that process was acknowledging the blame for violence lay within, not with the target of their abuse: "We don't expect them to change in a vaccuum."

He said Veitch's column by comparison read like it was written to to protect his own image – and spent some column inches detailing his guilt over the "one singular act".

McCann pointed out it had been reported previously the police file painted a different picture to Veitch's version of events.

"It's great that he's apologised but from an outsider's point of view it looks like a PR apology. It looks like the apology you make when you're not really apologising for the things you've done."

McCann added: "If you want to make apologies and send a message you should apologise to the person you've hurt, to your former partner – not talking about the toll it's taken on yourself."

Veitch goes on to claim in the column he is a changed person, he now doesn't "live to work", and while "misinformation continues" around what actually happened, coming to terms with people's judgment of him had been a "huge part of my recovery".

"In 2009 I pleaded guilty to one singular act which Judge Doogue said was not planned and that I was not a serial offender. I was sentenced to nine months' supervision, 300 hours of community service and received a fine. Regardless, 10 years on from that misjudgment, I know and accept it will always be part of who I am.

"Regaining my career has been the toughest challenge of my life. I know there are those of you who believe I don't deserve it. I get it. Fortunately I have met some incredible Kiwis who have helped me find some inner peace to grow, live my life once more and to be a better person."

He said some people would call him a "coward" for trying to take his life, but "I have also learned until you are in that position you shouldn't judge because no one knows how you feel but you".

"Every day what I have done casts a shadow over my future; when I walk into restaurants or my local service station of course I wonder what people are thinking when they look at me.

Perhaps I will never be free from being associated with family violence. I have accepted what I did was wrong and I reiterate there is no excuse for what I did."

WHERE TO GET HELP

• Women's refuge crisisline: 0800 733 843

• Lifeline (open 24/7): 0800 543 354

• Depression Helpline (open 24/7): 0800 111 757

• Samaritans (open 24/7): 0800 726 666

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