The statement Dil posted on her website
‘LIKE many I was appalled and disgusted by the comments made by George Hook on his show on Newstalk last Friday. He unequivocally said that the rape victim in the UK rape case was partly to blame for her own rape. My immediate reaction was this time he has gone too far and surely the station will react appropriately and at the very least suspend him immediately from the airwaves until a decision is made regarding his future.
‘Like many other survivors of sexual abuse and violence, I didn’t report it or seek support sooner because I thought it was my fault. I actually believed until I was well into my 30s that at the tender age of 13 I was to blame that my first sexual experience was with a 70-yearold man. Victim-blaming is unacceptable, irresponsible and dangerous. I am deeply disappointed that so far, the only action there has been to address the hurt and distress caused by the comments has been an apology by George Hook and Newstalk. In my opinion, this does not go far enough... I feel unable to share the airwaves with an individual who has no regard for the duty of care we have to the public and as such will not be presenting Global Village this weekend and management understand my position.
‘Most importantly, it is my duty as a parent to my twoyear-old son Phoenix and my four-week-old daughter Xavier to act and be the change I want to see in the world. I am heartened that there has been a public outrage and Newstalk have launched a full investigation on this matter which I hope will conclude within the next few days so I can return to presenting Global Village on Saturday, September 23.’