Edmontron Radio: CHED Apologizes For Sexual Assault Poll

Radio CHED 630 AM in Edmonton apologized last week after publishing an online poll asking whether victims are to blame for sexual assaults, according to the Edmonton Journal.

The poll was published on the 630 CHED website shortly before noon and immediately triggered torrents of outrage from advocates, politicians and Albertans.

The station initially re-worded the poll and later removed it entirely.

“We’re sorry,” CHED brand manager Syd Smith said during an appearance on one of the station’s shows, Tencer and Grose. “It was wrong, and ... I believe our audience and our listeners deserve better from us, and we’ll work to make sure we are better in the future.”

Smith said the poll was a clumsy attempt to gauge response to a news story in which Edmonton police said victim-blaming is still an issue in the capital city.

The poll asked readers: “Do you think victims of sexual assaults share any blame for what happens?”

Respondents were given two options, yes and no. Beside “no,” the poll explained that “women should be able to dress, drink and walk as they choose without fear of being blamed.” Beside “yes,” the poll said “if women drink too much, dress too little or walk in harms way, they put themselves at risk.”

After the controversy erupted, the station initially reworded the poll to include a reference to a panel discussion about rape culture held in Edmonton as part of the city’s Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness. However, the poll was later removed completely.

We apologize for the inappropriate poll posted today. People are understandably upset. It has been removed. We will do better in the future.
— 630CHED (@630CHED) April 10, 2014

Before the polls was taken down, 65 per cent of respondents had voted no, while 35 per cent of respondents had voted yes. The total number of respondents was not published.

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