Accused Sexual Harasser Charles Waterstreet Will Appear On A Special #MeToo Episode of ‘Q&A’
The ABC has attempted to justify his appearance.
The ABC has invited barrister Charles Waterstreet, who was recently accused of sexual harassment by a 21-year-old paralegal, to appear as a panellist on an upcoming special episode focused on #MeToo — you know, the movement focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
He will be joined on the panel by actress Rachel Griffiths, academic Catharine Lumby, and employment lawyer Josh Bornstein, according to emails from ABC producers which have been posted to social media.
@QandA what a way to silence survivors!!Join me in voicing to abc to remove Charles Waterstreet off the panel!! #metoo
— Jenna Schofield (@ALifeInFrocks) January 23, 2018
Apparently @QandA couldn’t book Harvey Weinstein or Don Burke so they decided to have Charles Waterstreet the show. This is a slap in the face to survivors and the exact opposite of what #metoo is about https://t.co/NXdJS9bU5y
— Lauren Ingram ? (@laureningram) January 23, 2018
So @QandA is holding a #MeToo panel featuring – among others – alleged sexual predator Charles Waterstreet. Because for the ABC, balance on a panel about rape culture means hosting victim AND perpetrator.
— Seb Starcevic (@SebStarcevic) January 23, 2018
The decision to include Waterstreet on the panel has been slammed by anti-sexual assault advocates, including Nina Funnell, an award-winning journalist and advocate who worked on the New Matilda investigation into the allegations against Waterstreet.
On Twitter this morning, Funnell expressed outrage that Waterstreet was included, and also shared that the ABC had asked her to join the audience, but not the panel itself.
“Women do not need men to explain sexual harassment to us,” she wrote. “Men should sit in audience and listen as women explain it.”
The ABC has announced that alleged sexual harasser Charles Waterstreet will be on the Q&A #MeToo special. They invited me 2 sit in the audience. Women do not need men to explain sexual harassment to us. Men should sit in audience & listen as women explain it. Get me on the Panel!
— Nina Funnell (@ninafunnell) January 23, 2018
“The fact that any media org will continue to platform him is concerning. But the fact that he has the audacity to take up so much space in a limited 5 person panel on #MeToo is shocking. Seriously ABC? I’m a sexual assault survivor, but you’re prioritising his voice over mine?”
The ABC’s decision to give a platform to Waterstreet comes even after other institutions have faced serious criticism for doing so. UNSW was widely criticised for continuing to promote job ads at Waterstreet’s firm following multiple allegations against him, while the University of Sydney banned his job ads from its CareerHub amidst protests.
An ABC spokesperson provided Junkee with the following statement:
“The #MeToo movement has raised highly sensitive and strongly emotive issues – and an important conversation to have. In its special 15 February episode Q&A will bring together a panel to discuss these issues. As always, the panel will represent a variety of perspectives and experiences, exposing Australian citizens to a range of views and ideas they may oppose, as well as those they support.”