POLITICIANS and campaigners are speaking out after today’s front page of The Sun featured an interview with JK Rowling’s first husband under the headline: “I slapped JK and I’m not sorry”.
This week the Harry Potter author spoke publicly about being a domestic abuse survivor for the first time in an online essay.
This morning the newspaper’s treatment of the story has been called “enabling to abusers” and “triggering” for abuse survivors.
Women’s rights activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu shared the splash on Twitter and added: “Capitalising on domestic abuse @jk_rowling survived for commercial profit is not only disgusting but reprehensible. A sick undertone of misogyny in here.”
The Sun’s headline quoting JK Rowling’s abusive ex-husband is beyond triggering for many abuse survivors, and enabling to abusers. It is irresponsible and dangerous. I could weep for the way women are treated by the tabloid press- still- in 2020.
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) June 11, 2020
And SNP MSP Gillian Martin added her voice to the criticism, posting: “The Sun’s headline quoting JK Rowling’s abusive ex-husband is beyond triggering for many abuse survivors, and enabling to abusers. It is irresponsible and dangerous. I could weep for the way women are treated by the tabloid press- still- in 2020.”
Labour MP Jess Phillips added that the "headline is awful, the perpetrator more awful still".
She went on: "You'd be surprised how only his hideous arrogant admission will allow some to believe. Still too often doubt and disbelief are the best weapon abusers have in their arsenal ... 'no one will believe you'."
The Sun’s front page is profoundly misogynistic.
— Emma Ritch (@EmmaRitch) June 12, 2020
Anyone who has been affected by a story can complain to regulator @IPSONews here: https://t.co/ddFwa7NOBp
Engender Scotland director Emma Ritch encouraged those affected by the story and front page to complain to press regulator IPSO. She added it was “profoundly misogynistic”.
Other journalists condemned the front page too, with editor of the Yorkshire Post Jay Mitchinson who said he would never “blast up” a perpetrator’s defence on one of his front pages.
My reporters, sadly, attend court hearings regularly where domestic violence is raked over. Never, EVER, would I blast up the perpetrator's defence. Especially a boastful lack of contrition.
— James Mitchinson (@JayMitchinson) June 11, 2020
If this is journalism, I'm starting to think I'm in the wrong job. pic.twitter.com/OJctXorTfN
He wrote on Twitter: “My reporters, sadly, attend court hearings regularly where domestic violence is raked over. Never, EVER, would I blast up the perpetrator's defence. Especially a boastful lack of contrition.
“If this is journalism, I'm starting to think I'm in the wrong job.”
The hashtag #don’tbuythesun was trending on Twitter this morning as many expressed anger over the way the story was presented.
In her online essay this week Rowling said she had not avoided speaking on her experiences due to shame, but “because they’re traumatic to revisit and remember”.
The main focus of the essay, which was criticised by trans rights campaigners, was to detail five reasons why she wants to speak out about transgender issues.
The author also said she wanted to speak out because “we’re living through the most misogynistic period I’ve experienced”.
Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline Women’s Aid Scotland can be contacted 24/7 via web chat on www.sdafmh.org.uk or 08000271234.
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