Michael Jackson: Barbra Streisand criticised for abuse comments

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Barbra Streisand is facing criticism for expressing sympathy towards late singer Michael Jackson, who is accused of sexually abusing children.

She told the Times she believed allegations made in the documentary Leaving Neverland but said “it didn't kill” the alleged victims.

“Did you really say that？” the film's director Dan Reed asked of Streisand in a tweet.

Jackson's brothers deny the singer sexually abused children.

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Finding Neverland features testimony from two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who say they were abused hundreds of times by Michael Jackson, from the ages of seven and 10.

Asked whether she believed them, Streisand told the Times “absolutely”.

She goes on to say: His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has.

“You can say 'molested', but those children, as you heard say [Robson and Safechuck], they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn't kill them.”

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Media captionTaj Jackson on Leaving Neverland allegations

She said she felt bad for both the children and Jackson, and that “I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him”.

• The Times' full interview with Streisand (paywall)

Her comments sparked a backlash on social media.

Skip Twitter post by @danreed1000

“It didnt kill them” @BarbraStreisand did you really say that？!#LeavingNerverland https://t.co/p4sIaPIHK6

— Dan Reed (@danreed1000) March 22, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @danreed1000

Skip Twitter post by @MollyJongFast

Oh this is a very very very bad take Barbara. https://t.co/GENvZclsf7

— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) March 23, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @MollyJongFast

Skip Twitter post by @awmccall

You can't simultaneously say you believe accusers *and* say it wasn't the accused's fault.

— Alexander W. McCall (@awmccall) March 22, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @awmccall

Skip Twitter post by @MaxOnTwitter

“You can say ‘molested’, but” is a bold way to start a sentence https://t.co/5MXi11RvDx

— max (@MaxOnTwitter) March 23, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @MaxOnTwitter

Some users though have been upset that Streisand said she believed the two men. Despite the allegations some Michael Jackson fans have maintained his innocence.