ITV has apologised after a poll on Loose Women about rape sparked widespread criticism. The poll followed comments by The Pretenders' singer Chrissie Hynde, who said she blamed herself for a sexual assault she experienced aged 21 and that women 'have to take responsibility'.
The online poll asked viewers whether it could ever be a woman's fault if she is raped. It drew condemnation on Twitter, with one viewer calling it 'off the scale of acceptability'. Rape Crisis for England and Wales described it as 'not an appropriate opinion poll' and questioned whether the show would poll on whether it is someone's fault if they are mugged or murdered.
Katie Russell, national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales, said: 'A programme like Loose Women could choose to use its high profile to raise awareness and understanding of rape... instead, they've reinforced myths and stereotypes with this ill-considered, insensitive and insulting poll.' Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group called the poll 'harmful to women'.
In a statement to The Guardian, an ITV spokesperson admitted the poll 'was misjudged'. The statement said: 'Loose Women is a daily talk show centred around topical debate... we accept that the wording of the online poll was misjudged and we apologise for any offence caused.'
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it had received 53 complaints about the poll and will assess them before deciding whether to investigate. This is not the first time Loose Women has faced controversy over rape comments; last year, presenter Judy Finnigan apologised for remarks about convicted rapist Ched Evans.
