The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has criticised comedian Vittorio Angelone after he made a joke about Rebecca Goodwin, who is currently going through a sexual assault trial.
The Belfast-born comedian has faced backlash over comments made during a roast on the 'Have A Word' podcast this week.
Angelone referred to Goodwin being raped and insinuated that she was a victim of incest, prompting an emotional response from the content creator on TikTok.
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Goodwin, an English OnlyFans creator and influencer, has built a following through her online content, humour and appearances on comedy podcasts. She has also spoken publicly about her charity work.
In a video posted to TikTok, Goodwin said she had been made aware of the joke and explained how hurtful it had been during an already difficult period in her life.
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“I understand comedy and things can be laughed at, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever been through in my life, and I'm not exaggerating, and it just hurts. It's not funny and he's not funny,” she said.
Goodwin also expressed disappointment that people she considered genuine friends had laughed at the comments, claiming none of them had contacted her afterwards to ask if she was okay.
Her video has been viewed almost one million times, with other content creators also criticising Angelone over the remarks.
@beckymil911♬ original sound - Rebecca Goodwin 🍄
Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, addressed the controversy in a statement to JOE, warning that treating sexual violence as a punchline can have a damaging impact on survivors.
“Many people have experienced sexual violence, and many others live in fear of it. For survivors, hearing rape treated as a punchline can be deeply hurtful, and it reinforces the attitudes that discourage people from coming forward,” she said.
“Reporting sexual violence and going through the courts takes enormous courage, and survivors deserve to know that the process will be treated with seriousness and respect.”
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Morrogh also stressed that comedians and others with public platforms have a responsibility to consider the potential impact of their material.
“Anyone with a public platform, including performers, promoters and venues, has a responsibility to consider who is listening and the harm this kind of material can do. To treat sexual violence as a joke betrays a deep lack of understanding of what survivors have lived through,” she added.
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The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offers support to anyone affected by sexual violence through its free, confidential 24-hour National Helpline on 1800 77 8888.
This comes as fellow comedian Shane Gillis faces intense backlash for a comment on women's gym clothing, during his hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live on October 10.
During his opening monologue, the American comic said he had not been to the gym in so long that he did not realise women “dress like wh*res now”, before making further crude remarks about their workout shorts.
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The comments prompted an uncomfortable reaction from audience members and sparked criticism online.
Among those speaking out was Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy, who called the remarks misogynistic and argued that women should not be insulted for what they choose to wear.
Several other celebrities and former SNL cast members also appeared to take aim at the comedian, with former cast member Ego Nwodim sharing a gym selfie in an apparent response to his comments.
Critics also questioned the timing of the jokes amid renewed public discussion around sexual violence and rape culture.
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The controversy has also put Saturday Night Live under scrutiny for inviting Gillis back to host for a third time, particularly given his previous history with the show.
He was originally hired as a cast member in 2019 but was fired before making his debut after offensive comments from past podcast appearances resurfaced.
Gillis apologised to the audience after accidentally swearing during a live sketch in his latest appearance, but the apology did not address his remarks about women.
As the backlash continued, Saturday Night Live UK also mocked the comedian during its Weekend Update segment on October 17.
