Australian media personality Abbie Chatfield has revealed further details about a past relationship where she contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from an ex-boyfriend who had been unfaithful. Chatfield stated that her decision to reconcile with the individual after his infidelity and subsequent transmission of an STI is now her most significant regret.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Chatfield, 31, reflected on her past insecurities influencing her decisions. "When I was younger I was very much controlled by my insecurities and that led to a lot of regrets, such as being with people that I shouldn't have been with or getting back with people after they cheated on me," she said. She elaborated that getting back with someone after they gave her an STI was a particularly significant regret.
Chatfield previously discussed the incident on The Kyle And Jackie O Show in 2020, identifying chlamydia as the STI she contracted. She clarified that the infection was not from casual encounters but from a specific partner. "I think there's a lot of shame about STIs in general. I just want to break down the stigma," she told the show's hosts.
Australian government health data indicates that approximately 1 in 6 Australians will experience an STI in their lifetime, with over 30,000 currently living with HIV. In most Australian states, individuals diagnosed with certain STIs are legally obligated to inform their sexual partners so they can seek testing and treatment. Failure to take reasonable precautions against spreading an STI can lead to legal penalties, including potential imprisonment and fines.
Elsewhere in her interview, Chatfield confessed to a personal habit she finds difficult to break, describing it as a "disgusting obsession." She stated, "I have a really disgusting obsession, when I get anxious, with cutting my cuticles so much that they bleed." Chatfield expressed embarrassment and a feeling of sickness related to this habit, noting, "I hate my hands."
Chatfield is currently promoting her speaking tour, "Abbie Chatfield Loves Men," scheduled for July in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Reports have also emerged suggesting that Chatfield will not be taking over a breakfast radio hosting position following the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show. While she previously filled in for the show, The Daily Telegraph cited the Australian Radio Network (ARN) Board's alleged refusal to support her for the KIIS FM breakfast gig, potentially due to her controversial public persona.