John Laws tells critics over abuse questioning to 'go to hell'

BROADCASTER John Laws has hit back at criticism of his insensitive questioning of a sexual abuse victim, saying his critics "can all go to hell".

John Laws

BROADCASTER John Laws has hit back at criticism of his insensitive questioning of a sexual abuse victim, saying his critics "can all go to hell".

The 77-year-old broadcaster for Sydney’s 2SM and the Super Radio Network derided “trumped-up journalists”, “the clowns of Twitter” and "the righteous brothers down there in Melbourne" for inflaming the story.

Mr Laws attracted criticism for asking a talkback caller if it was her fault that she was sexually abused by family members as a child.

The woman spoke of her history of abuse at the hands of her father, brothers and uncles from the age of six until she was 16 before Laws said, “My god they were having a good time with you.”

Mr Laws then questioned whether the abuse had been, in any way, the woman’s fault.

“You weren’t provocative?” Mr Laws asked the woman.

3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell said the comments were offensive and peculiar for a man of Mr Laws’ experience and previous sensitivity.

This morning, Mr Laws responded on air by noting, “The newspapers have been having a field day ever since we took a call from a lady named Carol who had been repeatedly sexually abused as a girl and through her teens".

“It has been claimed that I asked a series of alarming questions," he said. "If anyone has [been offended] I wouldn't offend you for anything,” he added.

“If I created any ambiguity about what Carol had been through, then I am truly sorry.

“At no point in our conversation did Carol once complain, not once," Mr Laws said. "However for anyone who did get that impression, I'm sorry. That wasn't an impression I wanted to create. You know I was genuinely concerned for Carol's welfare.”

Later in the show, the broadcaster aired a number of talkback calls and messages supporting him. He also aired a clip of the victim calling him back after the initial call. The woman, “Carol”, admitted Laws’ question “did take me aback, but it's OK that you asked me that question. It was a fair question". She also said she understood why other women “would be very offended by it.”

Mr Laws then told his detractors, "You can all go to hell. It doesn't bother to me".

Last year, Mr Laws attracted criticism among his peers when he aired a talkback caller who threatened to “kill people” and commit "a Lismore massacre" in the vein of the Port Arthur and Hoddle Street shootings.

The man was later charged with using a carriage service to make threats of serious harm.