Kelly Brook has been of ‘victim blaming’ after she said young women put themselves at risk by getting too drunk on nights out.
The model was discussing the release of rapist John Worboys and his imminent release from prison, and how people should feel safe when getting into a black cab or taxi.
Worboys was jailed in 2009, with a minimum tariff of eight years, for drugging and sexually abusing female passengers, including raping a woman. Although Worboys was only found guilty of a handful of offences, dozens of victims came forward and police have said he could be responsible for assaulting more than 100 women.
Speaking on the Loose Women chat show as a panelist, Brook said: ‘Surely, if you just called a family member and said, “please come and get me, I can’t get home”, someone would come and pick you up.’
Kelly Brook has been of ‘victim blaming’ after she said young women put themselves at risk by getting too drunk on nights out
Worboys was jailed in 2009, with a minimum tariff of eight years, for drugging and sexually abusing female passengers, including raping a woman
Kaye Adams, another panelist on the show, responded: ‘But then we’re getting back to that assumption that it’s a dodgy thing to get into a cab, and you can’t go down that road because you’ve got to start from a position of trust.’
Brook replied: ‘If you’re drunk, if you’ve had a few drinks, you’re so vulnerable, your guard is down, you just want to get home, and I think lots of young girls put themselves in that situation, and I just think if you are in that situation, just call somebody.
‘Don’t get in a cab, don’t get on a train – you could get attacked on a train, walking home.’
Adams replied: ‘But you told us that your brother’s doing the Knowledge to be a black cab driver, wouldn’t you trust him?’
Brook then said that she would not go out and get excessively drunk, adding that she does not trust strangers.
She explained: ‘I think there are a lot of abusers, taxi drivers who have done this.
‘You’re in a very vulnerable state, it’s late at night, you’ve had a few drinks, you are just a target for anyone who is going to do that. Whether it is a taxi driver – I’m not just blaming taxi drivers – it can be someone else on a night out, you are just vulnerable.
Brook then said that she would not go out and get excessively drunk, adding that she does not trust strangers
‘You’ve had a drink, it’s late at night, you are a young woman, call someone you can trust and can give you advice on how to get home, I think that’s the best thing to do.’
Brook was heavily criticised on social media for her remarks on Loose Women.
One user said: ‘Why is Kelly Brook victim blaming and using the excuse of women drinking alcohol as if it’s a valid reason for them to be raped? Disgusting’
Josh Sims wrote: ‘Was in the audience for #loosewomen and kelly brook victim blaming girls for being raped and abused was disgusting.’
Michele Rumsey added: ‘Recently succumbed to a little daytime TV. I have yet to witness a single intelligent discussion on @loosewomen. Today’s victim blaming comment from #KellyBrook topped it. #LooseWomen you do nothing for women!!!!’
Another viewer posted several tweets, blasting the 38-year-old for her ‘out of touch’ views.
They said: ‘Kelly Brook is really out of touch with reality and doesn’t understand the challenges and obstacles women actually face in terms of reporting rapes and sexual assault. Don’t put that onus on survivors but focus on tackling rape culture.’
However Brook also received some support for her outspoken views.
Brendan O’Connor defended Brook, tweeting: ‘It is not ‘victim blaming’ to suggest a person makes themselves vulnerable by drinking too much. It is a fact. It’s not like Kelly Brook said that such people deserve whatever happens to them.’
However Brook also received some support for her outspoken views