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Aussie radio show pulled after live teen rape claim

Aussie radio show pulled after live teen rape claim

By AFP

SYDNEY: An Australian radio show was yanked off the air on Monday after causing outrage when a teenage girl was hooked up to a lie detector and forced to admit that she was raped at the age of 12. Sydney radio station 2Day FM said the 'Kyle and Jackie O Show' that featured the stunt had been suspended indefinitely pending a review. One of the presenters, Kyle Sandilands, was also kicked off the popular 'Australian Idol' show, with network chiefs saying he did not fit its family focus. It followed a public outcry over a segment on Wednesday in which a 14-year-old broke down after her mother -- who had volunteered to be on air -- quizzed her about whether she was sexually active, despite knowing she had been assaulted. 'I've already told you the story about this, and don't look at me and smile because it's not funny,' said the girl, who was strapped to a polygraph machine. 'Oh OK, I got raped when I was 12 years old,' she said. Sandilands was accused of further insensitivity when he then asked 'Right, and is that the only sexual experience you've had?' His co-host then stepped in and ended the segment. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led a barrage of criticism from psychologists, broadcasters, child protection and rape crisis groups. 'This is really off. It's wrong, shouldn't be done,' Rudd said last Friday. 'This is a young girl and I am, as I think most Australians are, really distressed at the way in which the young person has been treated in this way.' The New South Wales state government ordered child welfare officers and police to investigate the girl's rape claim. Sandilands, famed for his shock jock persona who pulled off stunts like drinking breast milk and launching a competition to find Sydney's smallest penis, apologised but said he had 'no idea' about the girl's past. A statement from the radio station issued late on Sunday said Sandilands was 'unable to perform his on-air duties at this time'. It also said the show would not air until the station reviews its protocols for audience interaction. In a separate move, the Ten television network axed Sandilands from 'Australian Idol.' 'Obviously culminating with events of last week, we have made the decision that Kyle will no longer be a judge on Australian Idol,' programming boss David Mott said. 'Australian Idol is very much a family program and its appeal is very much right across the board and we'd like to think that all families can enjoy the program in front of the TV.'