As far as Halloween decorations go, this one’s actually legit terrifying compared to the campy ornaments that won’t even scare the jumpiest kids.
But if frightening people was the purpose, major props to Scape for an amazing job in promoting its Halloween event. Perhaps a job done too well it seems, because folks are demanding that Scape takes the decor down.
What decor? Oh, just a life-sized, bloody female mannequin hanging from a tree in front of the Orchard Road youth-oriented shopping mall.
The honestly perturbing installation is part of Scape’s seventh Museum of Horrors event, with the hung lady supposedly representing the wraith that haunts the upcoming Halloween bash from Oct 18 onwards. The dead woman is supposedly a mother possessed by the ghost of her abused daughter.
Though effective in garnering attention it may be, but netizens are crying out that it’s a publicity stunt gone too far. Conservative group Singaporeans Defending Marriage and Family found another Thing To Be Outraged About and called on supporters to complain to government authorities.
“Such a disturbing and realistic scene would be traumatising for children and even some young teenagers,” it wrote.
“In fact, it might encourage some of them to attempt suicide in order to escape their troubles especially during this examination season where many already face stress, anxiety, or even depression.”
On another front, the executive director of suicide prevention centre SOS also spoke out against the Halloween installation. Speaking to Channel NewsAsia, Christine Wong noted that they’ve already advised Scape about the “inappropriate” depiction of suicide, which could traumatize or act as a trigger for the young and vulnerable.
Scape had no choice but to comply with the public outcry, and took down the decor on Wednesday morning.
“We have received feedback about the mannequin, and after reviewing internally, we informed the vendor to have it removed from the open public area,” a Scape spokesman responded to media queries.
“We hope that the youths will still have an enjoyable Halloween experience at the Museum of Horrors.”
We highly doubt that kids will be inspired to hang themselves after such a scary sight, but hey, you do you.
