Backlash as Stephen Fry tells sexual abuse victims to ‘grow up’

Stephen Fry has ordered sex abuse victims to ditch self-pity because it’s the “ugliest” emotion in humanity.

The QI host was slammed for sneering: “We’re very sorry your uncle touched you but self-pity gets none of my sympathy.”

A social media backlash branded the comic’s remarks “dangerous”. Fry, 58 and the president of mental health charity Mind, on a US chat show, also told victims to “grow up” .

“It’s a great shame and we’re all very sorry that your uncle touched you in that nasty place — you get some of my sympathy — but your self-pity gets none of my sympathy,” he said on The Rubin Report.

“Self-pity is the ugliest emotion in humanity. Get rid of it, because no one’s going to like you if you feel sorry for yourself.

“The irony is we’ll feel sorry for you, if you stop feeling sorry for yourself. Just grow up.”

Social media users were quick to hit back, with one writing: “ ‘The ugliest emotion in humanity’. Says the man who deleted his Twitter account over being criticised for a sexist comment.”

Another vented on Twitter about the comic, who promotes mental health campaigns and has spoken about his depression and bipolar disorder: “Ugh, stupid rape victims not wanting to relive what happened to them. Thank god Stephen Fry is here to tell them to grow up.”

Mental health author Emily Reynolds told The Sun: “It‘s surprising, as a mental health campaigner himself, that he’s not more empathetic. It’s incredibly irresponsible to tell victims of trauma to ‘grow up’.”

Fry recently quit Twitter after he was criticised for describing award-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan as a “bag lady” because of her dress sense.