ITV’s Loose Women looks set to face an investigation from Ofcom after 74 people complained to the broadcasting regulator about a poll asking whether women were ever to blame for being raped.
Ofcom is currently assessing the complaints and is expected to make a decision on whether to launch an investigation on Monday.
The poll was sparked by comments from the Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde, who said she took “full responsibility” for a sexual assault that happened when she was 21.
In light of Hynde’s comments, the Loose Women poll asked: “Is it ever a woman’s fault if she is raped?” An overwhelming 87.85% of respondents said no.
Ofcom is likely to consider the poll under section 2 of the broadcasting code covering harm and offence. Section 2.4 of the code says: “Programmes must not include material (whether in individual programmes or in programmes taken together) which, taking into account the context, condones or glamorises violent, dangerous or seriously antisocial behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour.”
However, the regulator is likely to take into account the show’s track record of asking controversial questions in deciding whether to investigate.
Following a backlash online, ITV apologised for a misjudgment in the way the poll had been worded, removed it from its website and deleted a tweet promoting it.
The apology said: “We always want to know what our viewers think about topical issues, however, we accept that the wording of the online poll was misjudged and we apologise for any offence caused.”
Speaking on the day the poll was published, Katie Russell, the national spokeswoman 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, its impacts and prevalence, and to support and encourage survivors to seek services like those Rape Crisis offers.”
“Instead, they’ve reinforced myths and stereotypes with this ill-considered, insensitive and insulting poll.”
