Emma Freedman victim blaming Richmond Tigers nude scandal

Emma Freedman has been accused of victim blaming after she said the woman at the centre of Richmond’s naked photo scandal should not have stripped off.

Ms Freedman made the controversial comments on Sports Sunday after a photo of a topless woman wearing a Richmond Tigers grand final medal went viral. 

‘My opinion on it is “don’t take your clothes off”, to be honest,’ she said. 

 

‘My opinion on it is ‘don’t take your clothes off’, to be honest,’ Ms Freedman (pictured) said

‘If you’re in a position where you think you might be put in a vulnerable position later on, for me, I wouldn’t take my clothes off.’

The photo is now the subject of a Victoria Police investigation after the woman involved made a formal complaint.

Ms Freedman’s comments drew backlash from her co-hosts on Sports Sunday, including Peter FitzSimons who accused her of ‘victim blaming’. 

‘Oh so it’s her fault, you’re blaming the victim,’ Mr FitzSimons said.

An image of a topless woman wearing a 2017 premiers medal belonging to an unknown player has been circulating on social media. It is now at the centre of a police investigation 

An image of a topless woman wearing a 2017 premiers medal belonging to an unknown player has been circulating on social media. It is now at the centre of a police investigation 

Richmond smashed Adelaide by 48 points in the AFL Grand Final to claim their first premiership in nearly four decades

Richmond smashed Adelaide by 48 points in the AFL Grand Final to claim their first premiership in nearly four decades

'Good on you Peter for standing up for what's right. Sickened to my core with Emma Freedman's comment,' one woman said 

‘Good on you Peter for standing up for what’s right. Sickened to my core with Emma Freedman’s comment,’ one woman said 

Ms Freedman rebutted the accusation, saying ‘I didn’t say that, Peter’ and ‘don’t put words in my mouth’.

Mr FitzSimons appeared to be offended by Ms Freedman’s comments.

He said it was no one’s fault but the player who took the photo and distributed it to friends.

‘If you take the photo and she says delete it and you pass it on to somebody else and that guy passes it on, you own the responsibility,’ he said.

‘She is the victim, (the player) is the one responsible.’

Ms Freedman’s opinion on the nude photo scandal also drew criticism on social media.

'Did you hear what Emma Freedman said? I feel sick. What hope does the future hold for our daughters?' one critic said 

‘Did you hear what Emma Freedman said? I feel sick. What hope does the future hold for our daughters?’ one critic said 

'Are you serious? "Don't take your clothes off". Victim and woman blaming at its worst. Great advocate you are,' another critic said 

‘Are you serious? ‘Don’t take your clothes off’. Victim and woman blaming at its worst. Great advocate you are,’ another critic said 

‘Sickened to my core with Emma Freedman’s comment,’ one woman said.

‘Emma Freedman, are you serious? Victim and women blaming at its worst. Great advocate you are,’ a second woman said.

‘Did you hear what (she) said? I feel sick. What hope does the future hold for our daughters?,’ a third critic said.

While most disagreed with Ms Freedman’s sentiment, some agreed.

‘Prevention is better than the cure. Keeping your clothes on (is better than) posing naked for a potential viral photo,’ one woman said.

'Emma is allowed her opinion, in fact getting a female perspective adds context. What Emma is eluding to is the naivety of posing for a photo,' one man said

‘Emma is allowed her opinion, in fact getting a female perspective adds context. What Emma is eluding to is the naivety of posing for a photo,’ one man said

‘Emma is allowed her opinion, in fact getting a female perspective adds context. What Emma is eluding to is the naivety of posing for a photo,’ one man said.

The massive backlash prompted Ms Freedman to clarify her comments on Sunday night.

‘I did not blame the woman involved. I did not “woman bash”. For those who have gone over the top to abuse me for what I said today, let me clarify,’ she started.

‘I agree the player who distributed the photo unlawfully, should be held accountable. But women (and men) are taken advantage of all the time.

'Hopefully this helps clarify my comments on today's show. I respect others' positions, hopefully you can do the same with mine,' Ms Freedman posted to Twitter on Sunday 

‘Hopefully this helps clarify my comments on today’s show. I respect others’ positions, hopefully you can do the same with mine,’ Ms Freedman posted to Twitter on Sunday 

A second racy photo has emerged, showing a brunette standing with her back to a Richmond Tigers wall, naked and holding an AFL ball

A second racy photo has emerged, showing a brunette standing with her back to a Richmond Tigers wall, naked and holding an AFL ball

The massive backlash prompted Ms Freedman to clarify her comments on Sunday night

The massive backlash prompted Ms Freedman to clarify her comments on Sunday night

‘Consenting and choosing to take part in a photograph is dangerous. I’m not saying its wrong or bad. I’m saying it’s dangerous.

‘I feel very sorry for the woman involved. It’s humiliating for her. But the taking of that photograph, put her in a vulnerable position.’

The Richmond Tigers released a statement last week saying the club would cooperate fully with the police investigation. 

A second racy photo has since emerged, showing a nude woman posing against a Richmond Tigers’ wall.  

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