Don Burke Denies Allegations of Sexual Harassment; Claims He Has Asperger's Instead

Trigger Warning: This article discusses sexual harassment and assault.

Yesterday, a joint investigation by ABC and Fairfax revealed a string of sexual harassment and assault allegations against TV personality Don Burke, famous for his show Burke's Backyard.

The women in the report allege Burke made sexually crude comments to them, and even made attempts to inappropriately touch them.

In a response to these incidents, Burke went on A Current Affair to address these allegations and it did not go well.

In the interview with Tracy Grimshaw, Burke refuted the allegations of sexual harassment and assault, claiming he was victim to a Harvey Weinstein-inspired hunt.

"It's a witch-hunt," Burke claimed.

"I might have terrified a few people, or whatever, and I shouldn't have done that, but these sort of things bear no relation to me and what I am about."

While he did admit to sometimes terrifying people, he claimed some of the assertions made—like how a journalist recalled him saying a sexually inappropriate comment about a female relative—were false.

"That is ridiculous. I have Asperger's, and I have a lot of other genetic failings," Burke explained.

"I don't believe that, and I would never say that. That's disgusting."

He went to discuss how his undiagnosed Asperger's makes him miss body language and subtle signs.

Understandably, people criticised Burke conflating the condition with predatory behaviour.

Years I've had Asperger's = 24.
Women I've sexually assaulted = 0.#DonBurke

— Jeremy Travers (@JeremyTravers) November 27, 2017

Since last night's interview, Olympic swimmer Susie O'Neill has come out with her own accusations of sexual harassment by Don Burke.

She recalls being involved in a television piece with Burke in 2000 when he crudely asked whether the paintings were as large as her genitals.

O'Neill was intimidated by the comment and made a complaint, but according to her manager at the time, Nick Cummins, Burke's denials were so "convincing" to Channel Nine management nothing ever eventuated.

Since the original investigation came out on Monday, hundreds of women have come forward with stories about Don Burke. 

It seems this is only just the beginning.

Have you experienced sexual assault or sexual violence? Seeking to support someone who has? Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Photo: A Current Affair