Comedian criticised for rape joke naming assault survivor
Vittorio Angelone made a rape 'joke' about content creator Rebecca Goodwin, a survivor of sexual assault, during a 2025 podcast episode.
Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone faced criticism for remarks made during a 'roast' episode of the Have a Word podcast recorded in 2025. During the episode, Angelone asked of fellow comedian Freddy Quinne, 'if you're here, who's raping Rebecca Goodwin?'
Goodwin had reported a rape to police in July 2025 and spoken publicly about her experience. The podcast episode was kept behind a paywall for over a year before clips were posted to social media in recent days.
Goodwin said she was unaware of the joke until the recent posts and that it will 'forever live with me that it was allowed for my name to be used as the punchline.' Angelone has since apologised on Instagram and says he reached out to Goodwin directly.
Rape Crisis Northern Ireland and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre both criticised the remarks, saying comedians have a responsibility to those listening.
Why it mattersWhen rape is treated as a punchline, survivors report it reinforces the attitudes that discourage people from speaking out about sexual violence.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the incident raises questions globally about how public figures with large platforms speak about sexual violence.
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