Transit Police pulls down 'offensive' SkyTrain sexual assault awareness posters
Transit Police has decided to pull down posters on SkyTrain that were meant to increase awareness about sexual assaults.
The campaign was launched earlier this month, but within days TransLink received a few complaints over one of the poster designs that read: “If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s wrong. Not reporting sexual assault is the real shame.”
Hey @TransLink, are you serious with this skytrain ad? Victim shaming is never okay. This ad needs to go. pic.twitter.com/kVvuYC8hvB
— J9 (@azarikajanine) July 23, 2014
Spokesperson Anne Drennan told the CBC that victim shaming was not the intention, but rather it was meant to increase awareness over the issue and “encourage victims to report incidents and prevent perpetrators getting away with assaults.”
The police force has apologized for the wording and the posters will be removed in the coming days and replaced with new designs that are approved by women’s support groups, the CBC reports.
Over the past year, there have been a rising number in reported sexual assaults, including incidents on public transit property. Transit Police have responded by implementing some safety measures, including a new smartphone app that allows you to contact them discreetly and a text messaging hotline (8-77-777) to report incidents.
Featured Image: @azarikajanine via Twitter
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