Matt Damon mocked over 'wanting a cookie for not raping anyone'

Matt Damon has been mocked online following his comments suggesting the world should be talking more about men in Hollywood who have not been accused of sexually harassing anyone.

The A-list actor's comments emerged just days after he came under fire for saying there was a "spectrum of behaviour" of sexual misconduct. "There's a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?" he asks rhetorically. "Both of those behaviours need to be confronted and eradicated, without question, but they shouldn't be conflated, right?"

One-time girlfriend and Good Will Hunting co-star Minnie Driver said Damon had revealed himself to be "utterly tone deaf and as a result, systemically part of the problem".

Then, in another interview with Business Insider, Damon said: "We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s**tload of guys — the preponderance of men I've worked with — who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected." He also said he would decide on a "case-by-case basis" whether to work with someone accused of sexual harassment.

Singer Cher said Damon's comments were "proving, once again, that nothing is more fragile than masculinity". She added: "One should not need or require applause for being a decent human being and not harassing or assaulting others, Matt Damon."

Interpreting Damon's latest comments, Kim Sauder, a PhD student in disability studies, said on Twitter: "Translation: 'I haven't raped anyone today, give me a f**king cookie."'

And, summing up the outcry to his opinions, she explained: "The reason I'm not talking about "the good men" is because A.) They are not victims in this B.) If you are a good man, you don't seek accolades for not being a rapey bastard C.) As Matt Damon exemplifies in terms of systemic misogyny "the good men" are often complicit."

Sauder later added: "If you think more focus needs to be on 'the good men' then I promise you, you are complicit in the problem."

Actress Debra Messing said: "Matt Damon- SERIOUSLY? You are a smart man. A privileged, white man. This is NOT the time to ask for a pat on the back. How about we NOT celebrate men who are simply decent human beings. Stay on track, Matt. It's not about you."

Some Twitter users had a bit of fun mocking Damon's take on the issue.

Film-maker Jessica Ellis said: "Me: Oh my god, someone broke all of my dishes! Matt Damon, crashing thru door: You should talk about people who don't break dishes."

And Tom Freeman said: ""Hello, this is the Matt Damon Fire Brigade" "Help! My house is on fire!" "OK but you know what? We don't talk enough about the preponderance of buildings that *aren't* on fire"."

See some more of the reactions below: