Philippine police release sexist anti-rape poster and people are not happy

Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.

A poorly designed poster released by the Philippine National Police during National Crime Prevention Week a few months ago has resurfaced on social media, shared by people who are calling out the “rape prevention tips” for being sexist, putting the onus on women and perpetuating victim-blaming.

“Drunk driving campaigns, for instance, are not aimed at motorists or pedestrians in general,” one advocacy communications specialist, Chely Esguerra, points out to Coconuts Manila.

“Those campaigns don’t say, ‘Be careful because there are drunk drivers!’. They’re aimed at people who might get into drunk driving: ‘Don’t drink and drive!’ So shouldn’t PNP aim their rape prevention campaign to sex offenders,” she argues.

Dear PNP, these are some of your sucky tips and what’s wrong with them:

YOU SAY: Rapists tend to attack women who appear to be walking along aimlessly or who do not seem very active, so walk erect and purposefully.
WE ARGUE: You should instead tell this to rapists: Looking weak is not an invitation for sex. A person who likes wearing short skirts and tube tops isn’t asking for sex.

YOU SAY: If you ever find yourself in a rape situation, try to escape your attacker.
WE ARGUE: Try? Escape? And then what? It would help if you give a hotline number to call so you can rescue us or ask us to file a report. Also, in the past 15 years, three out of four rape incidents reported involve child victims, who may not how to “try to escape” their attackers.

YOU SAY: Do not get into an elevator alone with someone you do not know.
WE ARGUE: Now you’re just making us paranoid, and that advice isn’t even practical.

YOU SAY: Do not walk by yourself after dark. Avoid traveling alone in isolated areas.
WE ARGUE: That’s around two-thirds of Metro Manila, dude. So should we be home by 6pm, and stay home?

YOU SAY: Use your fingernails to scratch the attacker. You can also use anything in your hand like pen, pencil, vegetables, mobile phone, hot tea, bag and umbrella.
WE ARGUE: You know what else seems to be left in our hands? Our safety. Grow some balls, PNP, protecting the public is your job.