PIC: The New Anti-Rape Campaign That Women Are Totally Against…

We all know that when it comes to rape, it should be obvious that the victim is never to blame. We’d also think it would be important that anti-rape messaging targets perpetrators. So we’re not surprised that there’s been an online backlash against the latest anti-rape campaign from Sussex Police. In a poster aimed at preventing rape in the area, two young women are shown taking a selfie on a night out, with the caption: ‘Which one of your mates is most vulnerable on a night out? The one you leave behind.’   The sub-text adds: ‘Many sexual assaults could be prevented. Stick with a friend and don’t let your friend leave with a stranger or go off on their own.’ The posters caused a massive backlash online with people stressing their concern at the messaging on Twitter: <blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"> Seriously @sussex_police, could you please be clear that rapists cause rape, and preventing it is not the responsibility of my friends. — Itsmotherswork(@itsmotherswork) April 4, 2015 <blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"> Or @sussex_police Men On a night out don't let your mate go off and rape someone. @sussex_police Be ashamed. Be very ashamed. #VictimBlaming — Carole Solazzo(@CaroleSolazzo) April 4, 2015 <blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"> @Bigoldsupermoon @sussex_police no perpetrator in this picture? Rape is something that "justhappens" to women on their own? @EVB_Now — Claire OT (@claireOT) April 4, 2015 <blockquoteclass="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"> for those who think the Sussex Police poster is fine/ not blaming women at all for rape, this is the one they need pic.twitter.com/4JZkSD2gD7 — Hazel (@miss_scottie) April 8, 2015 Sussex Police has now pulled the poster campaign, after thousands signed a petition protesting the messaging.