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Dee Dee Dunleavy accused of victim blaming for telling Nigella Lawson to take a stand on domestic violence or lose sales

dee dee dunleavyLess than 72 hours after Fairfax Media sacked 6PR presenter Howard Sattler for questions to Prime Minister Julia Gillard about her partner’s sexuality, the media company is facing a new furore involving a 3AW presenter’s views on domestic violence.

The comments came from 3AW’s Dee Dee Dunleavy in which she appeared to be calling for a boycott of TV presenter Nigella Lawson.

Photographs of Lawson – appearing to show her being grabbed by the throat by husband Charles Saatchi, co-owner of ad agency M&C Saatchi – appeared in the British press on Sunday.

3AW is Melbourne’s top rating radio station.

Dunleavy criticised Lawson for her reaction to the alleged attack. She posted a blog on the 3AW website this morning: “Nigella, like it or not, you’re a beacon for women from all walks of life. If you want us to buy your books and watch your shows on how to run our kitchens, then we need you to make a stand on domestic violence.”

The comment quickly drew a backlash, with critics claiming that Dunleavy was blaming the victim.

She has now issued a “clarification” saying: “I was not calling for a boycott of Nigella’s books. Clearly, I didn’t make my point well.

“We are watching for her reaction. I believe that she should file a complaint with police. Nigella Lawson is not obliged to become a domestic violence campaigner. Her safety and that of her children is paramount at the moment. But I hope that in the fullness of time she will consider doing so.

“I am mortified that anyone would think I was bullying or victimising Nigella Lawson, a woman I admire enormously.”

Dunleavy tried to explain herself on Twitter before appearing on 3AW’s morning show with Neil Mitchell where she said: “This is not victim blaming.”

Until 2011 Dunleavy co-presented the long-running Grubby and Dee Dee breakfast show on Gold 104.3. She and Peter “Grubby” Stubbs now present The Weekend Break on 3AW from noon to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

On Friday night, Fairfax fired Sattler for his comments to the PM.

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