Amber Petty was first catapulted into the spotlight in the most unusual of circumstances, by standing alongside her best friend, Mary Donaldson, at her wedding to the Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004. 

Becoming known as the “royal bridesmaid”, Amber Petty has experienced many highs and lows during her career in the radio and media in the 20 years since.

Today, she is using her public platform to speak up about something very difficult - but also very important. And that is a reminder of how the much needed and long overdue national conversation currently taking place in Australia regarding violence against women can inadvertently cause re-traumatization among victim-survivors.

As a victim-survivor of domestic violence within two past relationships, Amber sits down with host Sarrah Le Marquand to not only share her own harrowing story, but to speak up for the many women around the country who may be secretly struggling with trauma of their own. 

Although her public persona may have first come about because of a royal wedding, Amber tells Something To Talk About that she does not believe in fairytales.

If you have experienced or are at risk of family violence, you can call the national counselling service 1800RESPECT.

You can find out more from Amber Petty, including purchase details for her book, via her Instagram handle @missamberpetty.

You can read Amber’s column in Stellar online at Stellarmag.com.au or pick up a copy inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD) and Sunday Mail (SA).

Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag