DOCS investigates radio stunt gone wrong

29 Jul 2009, 3:33 pm   -   Source: SBS
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Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O are under fire after a radio stunt inadvertently exposed a rape victim to on-air humiliation (AAP)

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O are under fire after a radio stunt inadvertently exposed a rape victim to on-air humiliation (AAP)

The Department of Community Services is to investigate the mother of a young rape victim quizzed about her sexual history on live radio.

The Department of Community Services is to investigate the mother of a young rape victim quizzed about her sexual history on live radio.

The girl appeared on Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O's breakfast radio show on 2Day FM in Sydney on Wednesday, and was subjected to a lie detector test.

Pressed by her own mother about her sexual experiences, the 14-year-old broke down and revealed she had been raped two years ago - and that her mother knew about her ordeal before agreeing for her to take part in the stunt.

"I’ve already told you the story about this," she said. "And don’t look at me and smile because it’s not funny.

"Oh OK… I got raped when I was 12 years old."

As the horrified audience listened in, host Sandilands then asked: "Right... is that the only experience you’ve had?"

The girl's mother then said she had found out about the rape "a couple of months ago".

Rape interview 'child abuse'

Jackie O appeared to try to put a stop to the radio segment as soon as the revelation was aired, offering the girl counselling.

But critics have been quick to call for Sandilands and his co-presenter - who have a history of controversial on-air episodes - to face action over the incident.

And DOCS says it will seek to question the girl's mother about her role in the interview.

A spokeswoman for Community Services spokeswoman Linda Burney told Sydney's Daily Telegraph an investigation would be carried out.

Karen Willis, manager of the NSW Rape Crisis Centre, told the Sydney Morning Herald the radio segment amounted to "abuse of a child".

"I have serious concerns about [the] mum and her behaviour and I’m hoping there has been some sort of report," she said.

"It sounds like she’s tried to tell [her] mum and she hasn’t taken it seriously."

2DayFM general manager Jenny Parkes has defended the station's actions, insisting: "All due care and consideration was given to the family and clearly we didn't know anything about the incident."

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Your Comments

share the blame

shocked silence - from melbourne, 3 years ago

The mother was most definitely to blame. She knew about what her daughter had gone through and had no right to question her about her sexual experiences on national radio. The whole interview should never have happened in the first place; the 14 year old said she was scared and that it wasn't fair. "Vile and Tacky O" knew the topics that would be covered by the mother and should not have gone ahead. The mother should have talked to her daughter privately and needs some parenting lessons.

blame the mother?

worried parent - from brisbane, 3 years ago

If the mother had sought counselling and proper support for her daughter when she found out about the rape she wouldn't have had to go through this obvious abuse of a child's rights.
I think the mother needs VERY careful watching by DOCS if she has any other children. Some basic parenting classes would help too.

Mrs

Anne - from Grafton, 3 years ago

Question The MOTHER?? She has a lot to answer to she put the daughter up to this, Not Kyle

Why?

Tim - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

Just another disastrous outcome of another stupid idea. What kind of idiot sets up a situation like this one in the first place? Did anyone really think that anything good could come out of putting a minor on a lie detector and then asking them about sex live-to-air?? I just cannot believe how monumentally stupid this was.

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