Dr. Phil Posts Sexual Assault Tweet, Outraging Twitter Audience

Dr. Phil Sparks Outrage On Twitter

Television talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw sparked outrage on Twitter Tuesday, and prompted the creation of a Change.org petition after posting a controversial tweet about women consenting to sex while intoxicated.

McGraw, who often questions his Twitter followers about themes for upcoming shows, asked if it was "OK" to have sex with a girl when she's drunk:

dr phil tweet

Though the tweet has since been removed from his page, it was up long enough to prompt a great deal of criticism on Twitter.

Dr Oz was saving lives today and Dr. Phil is trying to hook up with drunk girls where is @oprah she needs to have an emergency team meeting

— samir mezrahi (@samir) August 20, 2013

Carmen Rios, a former college sexual assault activist, started the Change.org petition encouraging supporters to call on McGraw to host a show to educate his viewers on assault prevention:

Even though he took the tweet down, Dr. Phil should of course admit his error in judgement. But he needs to go a step further. I am asking Dr. Phil to produce a show that shines a light on survivors of rape and sexual assault and begin a national conversation about the specifics of consent – which includes not raping people while they are drunk or otherwise unable to consent.

The many people who have survived rape -- not committed -- are the ones who should have a national platform to discuss how we as a society can make sure tragedies like Steubenville never happen again.

The petition had more than 350 supporters on Tuesday evening.

Before You Go

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