Warning: This post is about sexual assault and may cause distress for some readers.
This is a new anti-rape campaign from South African organisation POWA (People Opposing Women’s Abuse).
Its premise is pretty simple. The ad takes up a double-page spread in a magazine. The two pages it occupies are partially glued together, meaning that the reader needs to force it open. And when they do, this message is waiting for them:
It reads: “If you have to use force, it’s rape.”
Clever. And very true.
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call the NSW Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 RESPECT (1800 424 017). It doesn’t matter if you do not live in NSW, or even in Australia, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
Top Comments
I remember seeing a terrible rape story on the news and my poor hubby looking to me confused and upset asking "how could you possibly enjoy it if you know they don't want to?" I explained it's often about power, not actually sex; this makes me think the campaign is a great idea
I think this is a good start, but I think my concern is that there is an implication that only situations that involve force can be defined as rape. This doesn't take into account drunk or unconscious situations. Of all the definitions of rape, the force definition is the most commonly understood one. That being said, it is a very clever campaign.