THE Irish singer Brian McFadden has enraged anti-domestic violence campaigners with a tweet saying women who stayed in violent relationships were "pathetic".

On Friday night the former Westlife singer tweeted to more than 230,000 followers: "Men who hit women are pathetic. Women who make excuses and stay with the guy are just as bad."

Brian McFadden

The feminist and sociologist Eva Cox berated the axed Australia's Got Talent judge, saying the tweet was "very immature" and "silly".

"Domestic violence is very complex and women in those circumstances are told it's their own fault, they get convinced they're inadequate, ugly, and made to feel guilty," she said. "We need to support the women and say it's not right and you're not the cause of it."