Radio host Jay-Jay Harvey's alleged assault by a taxi driver has inspired other women to share their experiences.
- Jay-Jay Harvey speaks out about alleged assault by taxi driver
- Jay-Jay Harvey off-air following alleged sexual assault
Ms Harvey wrote a Facebook post about her "uncomfortable experience", in which she claimed she was sexually harassed and assaulted by a taxi driver after leaving a Ponsonby bar on Saturday night.
She told her followers she wasn't sure whether or not to go to the police.
Several women posted messages of support on Ms Harvey's Facebook post, with some sharing their own experiences of being harassed or assaulted by taxi drivers.
Fellow The Edge broadcaster Megan Annear told listeners this morning she was disgusted at people who blamed Ms Harvey for not immediately reporting the incident.
"She was in shock. If you haven't been sexually assaulted before, it is a very strange thing to mull over," she said.
"You do put guilt on yourself, you do put blame yourself, you think, 'Did I not say the right thing, did I lead him on?' You go through this crazy experience before coming to the realisation that actually what he did was wrong.
"It is absolutely unacceptable for people to put any blame on Jay-Jay for not straight away going to the police."
TV personality Colin Mathura-Jeffree tweeted his support for Ms Harvey.
The Stuff Facebook account posted a comment on Sunday night on their article about the incident which read, "Not victim blaming, but there's a lot to be said for sitting in the back seat of the taxi."
Stuff has since apologised and deleted the comment.
"That comment should never have been posted. It was accidentally posted by a staff member who thought they were using their private account. It certainly doesn't represent the views of Stuff, and we've offered our apologies to Ms Harvey," Stuff editor Patrick Crewdson told Newshub.
Sexual violence victim advocate Louise Nicholas told Newshub the Facebook comment was "ridiculous".
"Dude, that is so victim blaming!"
Ms Nicholas, a sexual abuse survivor, said those criticising Ms Harvey for not going to the police immediately were also participating in victim blaming.
"The sad reality is everyone's got an opinion."
She said Ms Harvey should feel encouraged to report the incident in her own time.
"He needs help and needs to be caught. He's done it before and will probably do it again. She may be the one who takes him down.
"She's got to do what she needs to do for her…she will make the right decision."
Ms Nicholas also criticised John Hart, executive director of the New Zealand Taxi Federation, who told Radio Live that women should only use 'reputable' taxi companies.
"Once again, that is victim blaming," she said.
"When you hail a taxi, you do so knowing that you'll get home safely."
Newshub.
