'Big Brother Mzansi' contestant Ashley Ogle slammed after making insensitive comments about rape survivor

"Big Brother Mzansi" contestant Ashley Ogle is facing growing backlash after making insensitive comments about fellow housemate Kay B, who revealed in the house that she was a rape survivor.

The remarks, which many viewers have condemned as insensitive, have sparked calls for Ashley’s immediate disqualification from the house.

Kay B shared her painful experience during a conversation in the house, only for Ashley to suggest that Kay B was seeking attention.

In an open letter shared publicly on X, viewers @Mthembuzuzile expressed their disgust over Ashley’s comments. The open letter has been directed to Mnet, Mzansi Magic, and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA).

In the letter, the viewers condemns the victim-shaming behaviour displayed by both Ashley and her housemate Bonnie.

The letter reads: “I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the conduct of two Big Brother housemates, Bonnie and Ashley, who have engaged in victim-shaming behaviour by making inappropriate and insensitive remarks about a fellow housemate’s experience of rape.

“Their comments not only display a profound lack of understanding of the gravity of rape as a societal issue but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and re-traumatise survivors of sexual violence.”

The viewer further stressed that such actions have significant repercussions, particularly in a country like South Africa, which has one of the highest rates of sexual violence globally.

"As a viewer and concerned citizen, I believe this behavior is unacceptable and warrants immediate intervention. South Africa faces one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world, with countless survivors struggling to overcome the stigma and trauma associated with such experiences."

They warned that trivialising rape in a public platform like Big Brother Mzansi could harm ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support for victims.

"The normalization or trivialization of rape, especially on a public platform like Big Brother, exacerbates the problem and undermines ongoing efforts to create awareness and provide support for victims."

Despite the growing public uproar, "Big Brother Mzansi" producers have yet to issue an official statement on Ashley’s future in the competition.

Calls for disciplinary action have intensified, with viewers urging the show to take immediate action, citing the precedence set last year when contestants Yolanda and Bravo were disqualified for behaviour deemed harmful to the show’s values.

Furthermore, the letter outlined several key actions that should be taken.

These include "investigating the incident and imposing appropriate consequences on Bonnie and Ashley for their victim-shaming behavior, such as warnings, penalties, or eviction if necessary."

The letter also calls for mandatory awareness and sensitivity training for all housemates on the "implications of rape, victim-blaming, and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors.

The viewer urges Big Brother to make a public statement "on the platform to demonstrate its commitment to promoting respect, empathy, and awareness of critical social issues like sexual violence."

Additionally, the letter recommends strengthening content monitoring to "prevent the airing of content that may retraumatize victims or perpetuate harmful behavior."

The letter concludes with a plea for the show to take a firm stance against victim-shaming: "Failure to address this behaviour sends a message that such conduct is acceptable, which is deeply harmful to victims and society as a whole."

IOL