Home and Away’s Mat Stevenson reveals he was ‘drugged and raped’ when he was 18

Home and Away star Mat Stevenson has revealed he was ‘drugged and raped’ when he was 18-years-old in a shocking new Channel Seven documentary.

The 53-year-old – who played Adam Cameron on the soap from 1989 to 1994 – spoke out about his tragic ordeal on Sunday’s episode of Spotlight: The Fame Game, which explores the upsides and downsides to life in the limelight. 

Mat said he wanted to discuss what had happened in light of the death of his co-star and friend Dieter Brummer, who died in July 2021 at age 45 following a struggle with his mental health.

Heartbreaking: Home and Away star Mat Stevenson has revealed he was ‘drugged and raped’ when he was 18-years-old in a shocking new Channel Seven documentary

‘I’m a bit uncomfortable opening up about my life because not many people know about it, but if it’s going to help someone, that whole notion of being vulnerable, then I’m all for it,’ Mat said.

‘I was basically drugged and raped and dragged into a spa and thought I was going to drown, and then woke up naked somewhere.

‘I was 18. And then I won my role in Neighbours the next day. I was a pretty fit guy back then too, but when you’re paralysed there’s nothing you can do.’

Devastating loss: Mat said he wanted to discuss what happened in light of the death of his co-star and close friend Dieter Brummer, who died last year at age 45 after a struggle with his mental health. Pictured in 1995

Devastating loss: Mat said he wanted to discuss what happened in light of the death of his co-star and close friend Dieter Brummer, who died last year at age 45 after a struggle with his mental health. Pictured in 1995 

Nineties star: Mat became a household name when he starred on Channel Seven soap Home and Away in the '90s, playing the role of Adam Cameron. Pictured with co-star Dannii Minogue

Nineties star: Mat became a household name when he starred on Channel Seven soap Home and Away in the ’90s, playing the role of Adam Cameron. Pictured with co-star Dannii Minogue 

Mat said that at the time he ‘suppressed’ what had happened and ‘suffered in silence’.

‘It came out in toxic behaviours,’ Mat said of the suppression. ‘So drinking, gambling…’

He said that after leaving Home and Away, ‘…I basically wanted to find the bottom as quickly as I could, and I got there pretty quickly.

‘When you’re backing slow racehorses and drinking a lot, they’re two vices that’ll get you where you want to go pretty quickly.

Soap star: Mat is pictured during his stint on Home and Away

Soap star: Mat is pictured during his stint on Home and Away 

'I¿m a bit uncomfortable opening up about my life because not many people know about it, but if it¿s going to help someone, that whole notion of being vulnerable, then I¿m all for it,' Mat said of his decision to speak out

‘I’m a bit uncomfortable opening up about my life because not many people know about it, but if it’s going to help someone, that whole notion of being vulnerable, then I’m all for it,’ Mat said of his decision to speak out  

“And when I found the bottom, I rang my brother up to snip him for some cash, and he said, “Aren’t you tired of making s*** decisions?”

‘And I said, “Yeah. I am, mate. I think I am”.’

Mat – who is father to transgender rights activist Grace Hyland – says he has a ‘bloody good life now’ and that his greatest role is being a dad.

‘I’m come through it,’ he said, before saying of his friend: ‘…So Deit’s death ripped my heart out and I just don’t want to lose another bloke.’

Proud father: Mat - who is father to transgender rights activist Grace Hyland (right) - says he has a 'bloody good life now' and that his greatest role is being a dad

Proud father: Mat – who is father to transgender rights activist Grace Hyland (right) – says he has a ‘bloody good life now’ and that his greatest role is being a dad

Icon: Dieter appeared in a total of 557 episodes of Home and Away, winning Most Popular Actor at the Logie Awards in 1995 and 1996

Icon: Dieter appeared in a total of 557 episodes of Home and Away, winning Most Popular Actor at the Logie Awards in 1995 and 1996

Dieter was found dead inside the home he shared with his parents in July 2021, after police were asked to perform a welfare check on the actor-turned-window washer. 

The 45-year-old had stepped away from the spotlight and ran a commercial window cleaning business which he referred to as his Plan B career.

He had played Shane Parrish on Home and Away between 1992 and 1996. 

Through tears, Mat continued: ‘So, if you’re suffering, reach out is the message. Yep. That’s the message.’

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 

'Deit¿s death ripped my heart out and I just don¿t want to lose another bloke,' Mat said of his friend. Pictured in 2010

‘Deit’s death ripped my heart out and I just don’t want to lose another bloke,’ Mat said of his friend. Pictured in 2010

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