Concern billboard could re-traumatise rape victims
Rape Crisis appalled at use of rape as advertising pitch - says it's malicious use of an image to sell a product
5 December 2005
Rape Crisis has reacted with horror and disgust to some Auckland billboards.
The A-class.co.nz signs depict a prison shower scene, with a bar of soap covered in blood. The tagline is 'Because jail sux'.
Rape Crisis spokeswoman Andrea Black says it is an appalling use of a graphic image to sell a product.
She says it would not be acceptable in today's environment to have advertising depicting female rape, and the same should apply to male rape.
Andrea Black says many victims could be re-traumatised by the billboard.
She says it puts the blame on the victim, with the message that it is your own fault if you take illegal drugs and end up in prison being raped.
Meanwhile, 'Look' - the company which put up the billboard - says it has not had any formal complaints about it.
General Manager Tim Simpkins says the advertisement has been up for about a month.
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