TV Show Airs Rape 'Demonstration,’ Asks Ex-Rapist To Reenact Abuse On Program

A television host in Ivory Coast has been sentenced to a 12-month suspended jail term after he brought in a purported ex-rapist to his show and asked the guest to “demonstrate” how he raped his former victims with a mannequin.

Yves de M’Bella was also ordered Wednesday to pay a fine of CFA 2 million ($3,600) and he has been barred from leaving the city of Abidjan, Al Jazeera reported.

The Ivorian presenter's program, which was broadcast at prime time Monday by the private Nouvelle Chaine Ivoirienne (NCI) channel, had caused nationwide outrage after it showed de M'Bella handing the alleged rapist a mannequin while laughing and helping him lay it on the ground before the guest was asked to explain in detail how he raped his victims, according to an earlier report by the outlet.

The guest was then reportedly invited to give women "advice" on how to avoid being raped following the "demonstration."

The High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HACA), Ivory Coast's broadcasting regulator, suspended de M'Bella for 30 days from all radio and television stations. He has also been barred from hosting the Miss Ivory Coast beauty pageant, which was set for Saturday

The country's independent communications council had ruled that de M’Bella's segment used obscene language, condoned rape and attacked the dignity of women, The Guardian reported.

The segment was widely condemned on social media platforms in Ivory Coast and across West and Central Africa, according to the outlet.

"Please tell me I’m dreaming," Ivorian rapper Priss’K wrote on Facebook.

"It’s disgusting, unacceptable, disrespectful, especially towards women," she said.

De M'Bella has since apologized for the demonstration.

"I’m sincerely sorry to have shocked everyone while trying to raise awareness," de M'Bella was quoted as saying in a social media post.

"I’m also sorry for everything that was said or done during that sequence of the [program] yesterday that hurt... I beg for forgiveness from all victims of rape," he added.

NCI's management apologized Tuesday for the show's airing and said it was committed "to respecting human rights and in particular those of women," as per Al Jazeera.

Additionally, NCI has reportedly canceled the final episode of de M'Bella's show, which had been scheduled for Friday.

The sanctions against de M'Bella, however, were not enough, according to Benedicte Joan, who was the head of an association of rape victims.

She claimed de M'Bella "should never again appear on our screens," despite his apologies.