australian backlash

Lara Stone’s Calvin Klein Ads Pulled in Australia For Being ‘Suggestive of Rape and Violence’

The Advertising Standards Bureau in Australia has heard complaints from sexual assault workers that images in the Calvin Klein Jeans campaign starring Lara Stone and a slew of hot men connote gang rape. And they have decided that the images, which appear on a few billboards across the country, should be taken down. They explained in the case that the image is demeaning to not only women, but MEN, too!

“The Board considered that whilst the act depicted could be consensual, the overall impact and most likely takeout is that the scene is suggestive of violence and rape,’’’ it said.

“The Board considered that the image was demeaning to women by suggesting that she is a plaything of these men. It also demeans men by implying sexualised violence against women.”

Psychologist Alison Grundy, who works with sexual assault victims, offered her two cents: “If we continue to subject future generations of young men to great barrages of aggressive, misogynist, over-sexualised and violent imagery in pornography, movies, computer games and advertising, we will continue to see the rates of sexual violence against women and children that continue unabated today. Or worse.” Calvin Klein isn’t quite Grand Theft Auto, but what say you?

Advertising watchdog orders violent Calvin Klein ads to be taken down [Herald Sun]

Lara Stone’s Calvin Klein Ads Pulled in Australia For Being ‘Suggestive of Rape and Violence’