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Karma comes calling for Sky pundit Eric Bristow after he calls victims of child sexual abuse ‘wimps’ [TWEETS]
Darts legend Eric Bristow has prompted outrage over a series of tweets in response to recent allegations of child sexual abuse in the footballing world. Sky Sports dropped him as a pundit within hours, and social media users are pressuring companies with advertising and sponsorship links to Bristow to end their relationships too.
Blaming the victim
The Football Association has launched an inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse after 20 prominent football players came forward with their experiences. While fellow sports stars and others have celebrated the courage of the footballers, Eric Bristow MBE felt differently.
According to Bristow, the issue was not the abuser, but the failure of the alleged victims to tough it up.
The tweets have since been taken down, but we have screenshots below. Read from bottom left first.
In Bristow’s world, the alleged victims of abuse are not ‘proper men’.
The response to Bristow’s victim blaming
Bristow’s behaviour falls firmly into the camp of victim blaming, where victims of abuse and violence are shamed into feeling culpable for their own abuse. This in effect re-victimises those who have suffered at the hands of abusers – many of whom already experience guilt and shame about their abuse.
Continue reading below...
Social media users were quick to point out that Bristow’s behaviour was completely unacceptable.
Dear @ericbristow tackling child abuse is brave suggesting "proper men" attack their accusers is Fucking naive & ridiculous pic.twitter.com/3owzY4Qke8
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) November 28, 2016
What goes through a bloke's mind before going on one of these rants? No one can really be that thick, can they?
— Jim Cognito (@JimCognito2016) November 28, 2016
“Karma for Mr Bristow on Line One”
By the morning of 29 November, Bristow had lost his lucrative role as a pundit for Sky Sports, their spokesperson saying:
He was a contributor to our darts coverage in the past but we will not be using him in the future
The sporting world has rallied firmly to the side of the football players targeted by Bristow’s appalling commentary. Former England rugby star Brian Moore – himself abused as a child – responded simply:
I'm not even going to address the many reasons these tweets are wrong. I'll just say ignorance is no excuse for this idiocy. https://t.co/HWPxBBFVW4
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) November 28, 2016
But sports fans are also getting involved, targeting those companies who have financial links to Bristow, and calling for his MBE to be removed.
Has anyone called for Eric Bristow to lose his MBE yet? #EricBigot #EricPissedow
— Chris Swinton (@Keawyeds) November 29, 2016
Celebrities can use the platform of public attention to help raise awareness and support for those who find themselves facing abuse and oppression. They should never use it to perpetuate such behaviour. A lesson Mr Bristow is now learning the hard way.
But at least social media users are recommending alternative employment if all else fails.
Paul Nuttall has stepped down as UKIP leader. He has been replaced by Eric Bristow.
— All Thats Left (@all_thats_left_) November 29, 2016
Breaking. Donald Trump is now demanding that the ambassadorship is given to Eric Bristow MBE
— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) November 29, 2016
Get Involved!
– The NSPCC football abuse hotline is 0800 023 2642
Featured image via YouTube Screengrab
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