Call to Action: Fear for Profit *trigger warning: images of SA, DV*
This weekend I enjoyed amazing weather at my city’s Memorial Day festivities. Amongst tables and tents selling dog collars and artsy bird houses, an organization promoted “women’s safety” products. Damsel in Defense is not new to me. As a self-proclaimed professional feminist, gender-based violence prevention is consistently in my chosen news, blogs, and conversations. With sexual assault being such a hot topic in the media, the risk-reduction industry is BOOMING and profiting off of fear has never been more lucrative. A gentleman blogger, Dave, basically summed up everything I would want to say about how ineffective risk-reduction methods are in preventing sexual-assault here.
So, instead let’s take some time to reflect on the ridiculousness of a few of their handouts my partner graciously took from their table as I stood a few feet away appropriately glaring. In all its cute-sy pink glory, this Helpher Safety Tips handout promotes super healthy coping mechanisms *yay anxiety!!* “Be paranoid, be neurotic, be suspicious and ALWAYS listen to your gut.” To really reinforce internalized blame and guilt, the sentiment ends, “It is always better to be safe than sorry.” So you know, if you do get assaulted you need to take some time to reflect on how if you only would have bought that pink pepper spray or that pointy key chain dagger, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, because logic.
The other side of this adorbs handout informs you that when in public, dress like you could at any moment go total Hulk on some dude. “Sandals, high heels, and tight skirts are hard to run and fight in and scarves and long necklaces are easy to grab.” Ah, the wonderful promotion of the age old victim-blaming adage, BUT WHAT WAS SHE WEARING?
And this image of a woman’s bruised arms is super empowering, right? Never trust a man standing in a grey hoodie.
I think you get the idea. I hate to even write this as it may bring some awareness to the company – but I hope you consider this a call to action. These message are damaging enough, but to then capitalize off of them (through a pyramid scheme nonetheless) is disgusting. Let’s flood this organization with messages, tweets, etc. about how profiting off of fear, rape culture, and victim blame is unacceptable.
