Channel 9's Under Investigation program slammed by Janine Vaughan's family

The program, which aired earlier this week, covered aspects of Janine's disappearance in 2001.

Speaking through the family's official Facebook page, Help Find Janine Vaughan, Janine's sister Kylie Spelde said the family had been reluctant to be involved in this program for a number of reasons, one of which was they were unsure of how a short panel program could help given the complexities of the case.

Ms Spelde said the family "are disappointed with what was aired last night. There were a number of factual errors."

"The program was ill informed and poorly researched. The panel of "experts" was not across every aspect of the case, so therefore shouldn't be speaking with authority."

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Among other things, Ms Spelde said the family was also disappointed with presenter Liz Hayes "victim blaming" their sister by describing her as inebriated.

"It was unnecessary, tacky and judgmental. Never should the level of intoxication of a woman who has suffered such a heinous crime be brought up in this way.

"Also, just to clarify, we will never know Janine's level of intoxication and if it had any influence on her decision to get into the red car," she said.

Ms Spelde said the family would also like to call out the "patronising" tones used to describe the family's own investigation, which they have been running for years.

As part of their investigations, they regularly come to Bathurst to meet with people who may have information on Ms Vaughan's presumed murder.

"Most of the new information and leads that have come out publicly over the past six to eight months have been due to our own exhaustive investigation and those who have helped us.

"We certainly understand our sister's case more than Channel 9's panel so we do not appreciate being portrayed as if we do not know what is going on or that we can't sort rumour from fact," she said.

Ms Spelde said the family will be continuing with their investigations, which have included a bumper sticker and shop poster campaign which has seen Janine's picture go on cars and in shops Australia wide. Anyone wanting a sticker or poster can get one by sending details to stickers4janine@gmail.com.

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