Getting into a whole debate about whether TV games influence real life is one that isn’t clear, direct or appropriate for a Facebook feed! However, I do feel this game in particular should be addressed because it’s next level twisted.
Rape Day Game
Rape Day’ is a digital game where players can rape and murder women during a zombie apocalypse. “The game was previewed on the Steam platform for three weeks and featured screenshots of women held at gunpoint and included rape scenes, which caused immediate backlash.” – Inside Edition
Support for 1000 Women Trust Petition
A petition launched by 1000 Women Trust, which aims to change local legislation in South Africa, to ban the release and availability of any video game that promotes violence against women. This follows from the creation of the controversial ‘Rape Day’ online video game, which the developer still plans to launch in 2019, despite global condemnation and having already been pulled from the original host site.
Considering that local statistics reveal that an estimated 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime, I think it’s fair to say that we shouldn’t allow violence against women in gaming. In fact, there should be NO gender based sexual violence allowed in gaming.
Going to Parliament
Avon, South Africa’s biggest direct-selling company that has empowered millions of women for over a 100 years, has announced that its commitment to 1000 Women Trust petition, which will be handed over to the Minister of Women in the Presidency, the Minister of Communications and Telecommunications and the United Nations.
The initiative to ban the release of the ‘game’ is also especially poignant in the month of Human Rights Day (March), whereby all South Africans are being reminded of their right to human dignity, equality and freedom, as well as recent cultural movements to highlight sexual harassment and abuse such as #MeToo.
In Closing
In short, did my 2 year love for Farmville inspire me to buy a plot and start farming, no. But does statistical information regarding violent crimes have a correlation with violent media, yes. Including rape of women in game is honestly so sick, we don’t need to put up with this BS any more.
If you’d like to add your name head to the Avon site here: https://my.avon.co.za/standforher