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ITV’s Loose Women will not face investigation over rape poll ITV’s Loose Women will not face investigation over rape poll
(about 4 hours later)
A poll on ITV’s Loose Women asking whether it was ever a woman’s fault for being raped will not face an investigation from broadcasting regulator Ofcom.A poll on ITV’s Loose Women asking whether it was ever a woman’s fault for being raped will not face an investigation from broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
The poll, sparked by comments from Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde that she took “full responsibility” for being sexually assaulted when she was 21, asked: “Is it ever a woman’s fault if she is raped?” 87.85% of respondents said no.The poll, sparked by comments from Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde that she took “full responsibility” for being sexually assaulted when she was 21, asked: “Is it ever a woman’s fault if she is raped?” 87.85% of respondents said no.
Ofcom received more than 70 complaints about the programme, which was assessed under section 2 of the broadcasting code covering harm and offence.Ofcom received more than 70 complaints about the programme, which was assessed under section 2 of the broadcasting code covering harm and offence.
However, the regulator said the results of the poll, the fact the panel never indicated women were to blame, and the show’s reputation for addressing difficult subjects, meant an investigation was not necessary.However, the regulator said the results of the poll, the fact the panel never indicated women were to blame, and the show’s reputation for addressing difficult subjects, meant an investigation was not necessary.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We carefully considered a number of complaints that it was offensive for this programme to ask the audience ‘are women ever to blame’ in cases of rape.An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We carefully considered a number of complaints that it was offensive for this programme to ask the audience ‘are women ever to blame’ in cases of rape.
“We noted the panel did not say that rape victims were in any way responsible for the behaviour of their attackers; and the audience strongly concurred with the sentiment ‘no means no’ expressed by many on the panel.“We noted the panel did not say that rape victims were in any way responsible for the behaviour of their attackers; and the audience strongly concurred with the sentiment ‘no means no’ expressed by many on the panel.
“We found the panel discussion and references to an online poll were in line with audience expectations for this live panel programme, which often covers difficult topics. Therefore, we are not taking the matter forward for investigation.”“We found the panel discussion and references to an online poll were in line with audience expectations for this live panel programme, which often covers difficult topics. Therefore, we are not taking the matter forward for investigation.”
Katie Russel, a spokesperson for Rape Crisis England and Wales, said a poll wouldn’t have asked a similar question about other forms of violent crime.
She said: “It’s heartening that both panel and audience shared the clear understanding that women are never to blame for being raped, but the question of why the programme makers felt this was appropriate wording for its online poll remains.
“It seems extremely unlikely, regardless of celebrity comments reported in the news at the time, that ITV would ever ask the question, ‘are people ever to blame for being murdered/kidnapped/mugged’, so why did they think it acceptable in relation to sexually violent crime?
“Rape is always the responsibility of the perpetuator, and victims deserve more respect, than shown by the programme,” she added.