Whoopi Goldberg Sparks Controversy With Comments On Domestic Violence

Actress Whoopi Goldberg has sparked controversy for her comments about women "provoking" men into domestic violence. Speaking on The View, Goldberg defended remarks made recently by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who said "elements of provocation" must be considered when discussing cases of domestic violence. While Smith later apologised for his comments, the Sister Act actress backed his argument by saying “Don’t be surprised if you hit a man, he hits you back”. “If you make the choice as a woman who is 4’3″ and you decide to hit a guy who is six foot tall and you’re the last thing you want he wants to deal with that day and he hits you back, you cannot be surprised,” she said. “I know I’m going to catch a lot of hell, and I don’t care. But you have to teach women, do not live with this idea that men have this chivalry thing still with them, don’t assume that that is still in place.” Cast member Jenny McCarthy interjected to say that a man shouldn’t hit a woman “unless his life is in jeopardy” and several Twitter users hit back by calling her comments "pathetic ". This isn't the first time that Whoopi has aired her controversial views on violence between men and women, saying previously that Jay-Z had "every right" to hit Solange during their Met Gala elevator bust-up.