'This Morning': 'Sexual Harassment' Debate Sparks Backlash From Viewers

'This is what makes people not want to come out with their stories.'
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‘This Morning’ has come under fire over a debate which posed the question, “Have sexual accusations gone too far?”.

Yep. This really happened.

In the wake of the ongoing sexual harassment and rape accusations levelled against Harvey Weinstein - the latter of which the movie mogul has vehemently denied - Monday’s (30 October) edition of the show included a discussion around the #MeToo hashtag, which saw victims of sexual abuse sharing their own experiences.

Phillip and Holly led the debate on Monday (30 October)
Phillip and Holly led the debate on Monday (30 October)
ITV

However, throughout the seven-minute segment, viewers tweeted their distaste for the way the subject matter was being handled.

Many suggested that sexual harassment accusations are not something that should be up for debate, particularly as so many people who have experienced abuse find it difficult to come forward.

"Have sexual accusations gone too far?" What sort of question is that? How about asking, have sexual assaults gone too far? #thismorning

— Kathkinson (@Kathkinson) October 30, 2017

#ThisMorning - ‘have sexual accusations gone too far?’ This is the question that makes people not want to come out with their story.

— James (@jamesssxo) October 30, 2017

"Have sexual accusations gone too far?" This is disgusting, your a disgrace #ThisMorning media supported #RapeCulture. #MeToo https://t.co/ViQkLFKZWU

— Danielle Bonner (@bonnersisters) October 30, 2017

Infuriating strapline from #ThisMorning on all the sexual harassment stories... I think the frequency of occurrence is the problem surely?! pic.twitter.com/muU8Jo6LME

— Syeda H (@SyedaH10) October 30, 2017

Note to @thismorning: there is no correct number of allegations, beyond which they've gone "too far". Tell that to, say, Savile's victims 🙄 https://t.co/ojAkf0xWlD

— Kate Bevan (@katebevan) October 30, 2017

Infuriating strapline from #ThisMorning on all the sexual harassment stories... I think the frequency of occurrence is the problem surely?! pic.twitter.com/muU8Jo6LME

— Syeda H (@SyedaH10) October 30, 2017

Today's debate on This Morning: Have sexual abuse allegations gone too far? pic.twitter.com/SYBAI2numn

— A SCARY BOY (@NightmareModeGo) October 30, 2017

"Have sexual accusations gone too far?" No! If you've been abused then ofc you should speak about it! What a fkn stupid segment #ThisMorning

— Kirsty (@kirstyleanned) October 30, 2017

#ThisMorning why don’t women go to the police? Really? Because the police don’t do anything and most first time offenders get off scots free

— spoopyqueen🕸 (@victoriakayexo) October 30, 2017

#ThisMorning "Men are living in fear about being accused of harrasment" How about don't harass anyone?

— Jamie (@jamiebolton77) October 30, 2017

It's not hard. Keep your hands and comments to yourself if you haven't established a proper relationship with someone 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 #ThisMorning

— Hana 花 (@HanaIveson) October 30, 2017

Stop calling harassment banter. Banter is teasing between friends, not unwanted comments directed at women. #thismorning

— VanessARGH 👻 (@dametokillfor) October 30, 2017

During the debate, radio presenter Nick Ferrari expressed his concern that “inappropriate behaviour” from men is not comparable to sexual assault or abuse.

Similarly, Phillip Schofield commented: “The thing is, for all the good that #MeToo has done, it has been widely used to name, with no proof, with no concrete evidence… and then someone’s name is attached to the #MeToo.”

Actress Debbie Arnold, who recently spoke about her own experiences of sexual harassment, then commented that “sometimes you have to do that”, at which point Phillip interrupted, saying: “But why do you have to do that? Why don’t you just go to the police? Why are you using Twitter to name someone?”

Phillip asks why victims of sexual abuse "don't just go to the police"
Phillip asks why victims of sexual abuse "don't just go to the police"
ITV

Debbie then said that the hashtag was good because it allowed people with “old wounds” to not feel so alone, adding: “It’s so hard to stand alone… to go to the police and say something has happened.”

Holly Willoughby then pointed out that often when people go the police, they still don’t have their cases of sexual assault taken seriously, insisting: “Sometimes it does take extra measures.”

HuffPost UK has reached out to a spokesperson for ‘This Morning’ for further comment.

‘This Morning’ airs every weekday from 10.30am on ITV.

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