Bachelor Alum Matt Agnew's Stand Against Violence Precedes Sam Wood's Arrest
Agnew's social media posts advocating for men to hold each other accountable for violence were published shortly before fellow Bachelor veteran Sam Wood was charged with domestic violence offenses.
Dr. Matt Agnew, a former contestant on The Bachelor, recently shared a series of social media posts emphasizing the responsibility men have to confront and call out violence. These statements emerged just days before Sam Wood, another figure from the series, was arrested and charged with domestic violence offenses.
In his posts, Agnew argued against labeling men who commit violent acts as "monsters," suggesting that this framing creates distance and allows others to disengage. He stated, "When we turn them into monsters we give ourselves permission to look away. Because the truth is uglier. More confronting. Men did this." Agnew asserted that "As men, we have a responsibility to stop it. Being a 'good man' can't just mean not being the man who commits the heinous act. That is the absolute f***ing floor. Silence gives these men cover. It protects them. It gives violence room to happen."
He concluded his message by urging, "Men, it's on us to act. To intervene. To hold men accountable. Not because they're monsters. Because they're men."
Wood, who appeared on The Bachelor in 2015, was charged by Queensland Police with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting. The charges stem from an incident at a property in Noosa on a Saturday evening. Following the arrest, Wood was denied bail.
Wood, 46, has been indefinitely stood down from his fitness and nutrition business, 28 by Sam Wood. A spokesperson for the parent company, DBG Health, stated that the company has "zero tolerance for domestic violence" and that Wood is on indefinite leave while the matter is investigated. The company's statement also conveyed thoughts to the family and community affected by domestic violence.
Wood did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, requested the case be adjourned to Thursday, when Wood is expected to apply for bail. He is currently being held at the local watchhouse. Mr. Cuskelly indicated that Wood intends to defend the charges and has been in good spirits despite concerns for his family and eagerness to return home.
Wood, a celebrity fitness trainer, married Snezana in 2018, and they have three children together. He also co-parents Snezana's daughter from a previous relationship. The family resides in Brighton, Victoria. Wood's fame from The Bachelor led to the creation of his business, 28 by Sam Wood, which he sold in 2022 for $71 million. He also owns The Woodshed gym in Melbourne.