Complaints over rape joke in SSB magazine by Imogen Blake, News Editor.
A rape joke in the Safer Sex Ball magazine has caused the publication to be reprinted after complaints were made to the Students’ Guild. The magazine, which is given out with every Safer Sex Ball ticket, joked that taking off a girl’s clothes without consent will burn 187 calories. The comment was part of a double page spread on how many calories you can lose during sexual practices. Complaints were made soon after the magazine, produced by charity-based society RAG, was issued on Monday, 21 November. Sophie Odgers-Roe, the Guild’s Racial Equality Representative, was “horrified”. She commented: “When I saw it, I was shocked, horrified and outraged. The Hidden Marks report was delivered last year, which details that one out of six women are violently assaulted or raped on University campuses. In light of this, I just can’t believe the sheer audacity of it!” All copies of the magazine have now been removed and will be reprinted without the controversial comment. Fee Scott is Service Manager of the Devon Rape Crisis Service which is based in Exeter. She said: “I was shocked to be informed of the ‘joke’ about sexual violence printed in the SSB Magazine. “It is still amazing that there is such a degree of thoughtlessness and insensitivity about sexual assault, particularly when 1 in 4 women will experience rape or sexual assault in their adult life”. RAG, the society which puts on the annual Safer Sex Ball, has issued an apology for the joke. They said in statement: “We would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by an unacceptable comment made in the SSB magazine. RAG does not condone abuse in any way, shape or form and we’re deeply sorry that it was allowed to be published”. The Students’ Guild has also apologised, stating the joke should never have been published. A spokesperson said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for not picking this matter up at the proofing stage and for not removing it from publication. An investigation is underway, looking at how this happened and ensuring that nothing like this happens again”. Ms Scott was glad the magazine was withdrawn but expressed concern that the joke was allowed inclusion in the magazine. She said: “I was pleased to note the speed at which the magazine was withdrawn and the apology was issued but we should all be highly concerned about a culture where such remarks and sentiments can get through an editorial process”. Sophie agreed and added: “I'm happy about the speediness of the solutions and the solutions themselves. However, I will stress that I'm also pushing for all publications to be moderated by a separate entity in the Guild to make sure this does not happen again”. If you have been affected by the comment, visit the Advice Unit in Devonshire House or telephone 01392 723520. The Devon Rape Crisis Service has opened a helpline for women affected by sexual violence. Telephone 01392 204174 for advice. To raise specific concerns or complain about the issue to the Students’ Guild, email guildparticipation@exeter.ac.uk. What do you think? IB |
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