Who the Hell is Hamish? The Australian

Very interesting podcast, but I expected more episodes.

Those who are crying foul over this series are not paying attention. He does not call it a “relationship” until Jane first calls it a “relationship.” He does not call it an “affair” until Jane first calls it an “affair.” It is Jane, not the journalist, who conceded that she knowingly and conscientiously entered into an activity that she knew was wrong, and that she was complicit in the subsequent duplicity (her words, not his). Those who would shelter Jane under a “victim” status deny her own freedom to tell her own story, and completely devalue her expressions of regret and sorrow. Her story is touching and heartfelt and sincere, compelling because she is so sorry for what she did. The magnitude of Jack’s and Beck’s forgiveness—and the depth of her sorrow— is lost when Jane is denied the dignity of expressing her own regret. Her present healing is not found in her ability to extract herself from the wrongdoing, but in acknowledging her small part in it. She is a remarkable young woman and should be treated accordingly. Those who would shift all blame from her, unwittingly suggest that there is nothing she could have done differently to avoid the outcome. In other words, they force her into the role of a powerless victim, the very thing they think they are protecting her from. This series is just outstanding journalism.

The host’s treatment of the discussion of Jane’s experience with Hammish with Beck, Jack, and her grandparents was irresponsible, but his interview with her was absolutely infuriating. To allow these people to discuss their point of view without giving the audience the proper context of understanding it was abuse, not an affair, is bad journalism and a dangerous way to frame the manipulation of a teenage girl. His interview with Jane herself took it to the point of complete lack of journalistic integrity, basic decency, or a fundamental understanding of abuse and victimization. “We all make mistakes at 17” does not describe her experience of being groomed and violated by a man 30 years her senior. This host has no idea what he is doing and should never be allowed to handle a story of such sensitive nature again.