Rugby is probably the toughest sport in the world, so it makes sense a new public-service advertisement is using the sport in a no-holds-barred campaign aimed at male rape and sexual abuse.
“Real Men Get Raped,” reads the ad, run by the group Survivors UK, “and talking about it takes real strength.”
Copyranter weighed in on the spot, but questions whether its the right tack to take on the issue:
The campaign launches this week as the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament gets underway. Posters will be up in the London Underground and other OOH sites. Anybody know if rugby players are specifically targeted for rape? And, besides another rugby player, who’s stupid enough to try?
I just don’t know about that headline. Ad agency: Johnny Fearless, London. See four previous rape ad misfires here.
We’re just not sure what the visual is representing: Anal penetration? Defeat? Pain and suffering? Is it a British thing?
How about we take this to the next level?
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The ad was designed by UK marketing firm Johnny Fearless, which has also crafted campaigns for Toshiba and the anti-racism initiative 2sox1goal.
Photo: Survivors UK
TASTEY GOODIES
One in 6 women is a rape survivor, so what are the stats fo men? The MORE awareness about rape (male or female) is needed. I am a 16 yr rape survivor (2 time). So I understand what another person goes through.
Fitz
What do you mean you don’t know what it represents?
How often are you hitting the poppers?
How do you look at that picture and not wince in pain?
Copyranter is usually funny, but it’s always from a
“dude” perspective.
Paul F
It says what straight men say about their female conquests to their buddies;”Nailed it”.
Oh, ok.
@TASTEY GOODIES: Are you trolling?
You call yourself “TASTEY GOODIES” and say you’ve not been raped once but twice rather causally on the internet as a 16 year old on a random gay blog… uh?
As far as male rape it more commonly occurs in prison than in everyday life which is why it doesn’t really get much attention.
?
@Oh, ok.: I’m not so sure of that. Date rape happens to gay guys too.
TASTEY GOODIES
@Oh, ok.: DUDE, you did not read my statement correctly. I am a 16 yr rape survivor- NOT a 16 yr old. PLEASE re-read my statement. I was raped on 2 different times and NO I am NOT trolling. I am a Kinsey #4 female. Being raped is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, Kate LaGuardia (former Idol judge) stated on TV that she was raped and it was also stated in her biography. I believe YOU are the troll. So are you trolling? And as for being “TASTEY GOODIES” I do have the goods and yes they are tastey. Both sexes seem to agree (the ones I’ve hooked up with). I have enough confidence in my looks and my overall personality. My self-esteem is not relied on others. What I got is good enough and I am a secure person that is realistic, yet humble when people compliment me. After all, the meek (self-effacing) shall inherit the earth. To love oneself is really to like and accept oneself. ALL of oneself. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And I am not immune 2 that statement, either. So if you do have any “neagative Nancy” comments I will rise above that. Life’s too short 2 dwell on the negative.
Oh, ok.
@TASTEY GOODIES: Bipolar much?
TASTEY GOODIES
@Oh, ok.: Asshole much?
TASTEY GOODIES
@Oh, ok.: U R A TROLL. U R A TROLL. U R A TROLL. STOP BEING A VENDEHO. A PUTO CHIQUITO.
Oh, ok.
@TASTEY GOODIES: lol
Oh, ok.
Sorry Tastey Goodies, I really am a lame-ass troll. That is why I try to stir up racist debates and attack people who are the victims of sexual abuse. I’m just soooo frustrated after my hand falls to sleep, from boredom, every time I try to make love to myself.
Just ignore my lame troll-ass in the future.
OK?
rape_is_evil
I was raped. Once in jail and once on the outs.
The guy who rapped me in jail I reported and had it handled. He got more years in prison and I went to protective custody for 18 months. But the entire process was degrading and the entire time they questioned me if I didn’t have consentual sex and was just trying to get even with the guy over some other issue.
The rape that happened when I was not in jail I never reported. I had no solid evidence and I likely would have been killed for snitching. Besides the entire emotional hell the authorities put me through the first time didn’t seem worth it. I would rather get revenge in my own way now.
It happens and that we never talk about it, makes it easier for a rapist to force a man and get away with it than a woman. People will believe a woman. They don’t believe men.
Hyhybt
I understand what the ad means, but it *reads* as implying that those who don’t get raped aren’t real men.
TASTEY GOODIES
@rape_is_evil: I AM SOOO SORRY THAT THOSE HORRID THINGS HAPPENED 2 U AND YES, I DO BELIEVE YOU. I NEVER REPORTED MINE CUZ OF THE LINE OF WORK I WAS IN. I FIGURED NO ONE WOULD TAKE THE WORDS OF AN EXOTIC DANCER FOR REAL AND I WAS IN SHOCK AND DENIAL OF WHAT HAPPENED. I MANAGED TO HEAL MYSELF W/OUT THERAPY, THOUGH. PLEASE GO TO MARISKA HAGARITY’S (LAW AND ORDER SVU) WEBSITE. SHE HAS A NONPROFIT COUNSELING/
HEALING CHARITY ORRGANATION. MAY YOU FIND PEACE AND COMPLETE HEALING. XOXOXOXOXOXOX’S.
TASTEY GOODIES
@Oh, ok.: Like Jesus, I WILL turn the other cheek and I forgive you. Just PLEASE don’t troll and send negative comments in the future. Only send love and light. THNX!!!!
cwm
@Oh, ok.: Prison rape is an important issue: one which ought to get more serious attention.
However males do get raped in other contexts. Rarely do they report it. They’re humiliated, and don’t expect to be believed (or taken seriously). Often they blame themselves.
Not that these are valid reasons: but many misconceptions can intensify feelings of self-blame. Some reproach themselves for “not resisting forcefully enough,” or are worried about being labelled “weak” for failing to stop the attack. They may get an erection–it does happen, however unpleasant the experience–increasing the sense of having participated (if for example the rapist calls attention to it).
Often, boys are targeted; they’re more vulnerable, and more likely to be sought by sex offenders than adult men are. Regardless of their sexual orientation, boys tend to wonder whether having been molested might “make them gay.”
No one scenario is typical. Boys may be molested in day care or by teachers, by family members, babysitters or strangers.
At age five, I was assaulted by the older brother of one of my friends. I was too confused and terrified to tell anyone.
My sexual orientation predated the rape. But for many years I feared older and stronger boys. To embrace my attraction to males: it wasn’t easy, because those feelings were uncomfortably associated with the trauma.
Whatever folks may feel about the ad’s imagery, we can hope the campaign raises awareness. Often the first steps in recovery are to talk about what happened, and learn to work through one’s memories without reliving them.
Oh, ok.
@TASTEY GOODIES: Really? You’ve resorted to talking to yourself by changing your “name” to mine? LOL, how pathetic.
TASTEY GOODIES
@Oh, ok.: YOUR NAME IS OH, ok. so how in the hell did I change MY name to YOUR name? My last reply was 2 comment #11 and if you read comment #15 it is VERY self explanatory. If you have ANY querries, please ask nicely. Thank you.
hyhybt
@TASTEY GOODIES: First, please don’t. One person doing it is bad enough, if that’s what’s going on here (and I don’t care enough even to read back over and form an opinion.) But once it starts spreading, it makes boards useless for those who want to discuss articles instead of playing name games.
But all you have to do is not be logged in; then you can type whatever you want into the Name field.
Hey, avatars are working! (Odd that mine showed up on a post I made when I wasn’t logged in…)
Alan
Hey idiot, this ad isn’t implying that in order for a man to considered real, he has to be raped. Its saying that “in reality” (an interpretation of real which had to be explained since your intellectual capabilities are practically nonexistent) men are raped and it takes real strength to talk about it. Next time think hard before you post a perfunctory comment such as that one.