Senate passes Greens motion condemning Wicked Campers promotion of sexual violence against women

chaslib · Senior Member

The Senate has unanimously passed a Greens motion condemning the sexist, misogynistic and racist slogans that Wicked Campers have on their hire vans.

The Senate is sending a strong message that promoting violence against women is completely unacceptable in Australian society, Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, said.

Im pleased to hear that Wicked Campers have said they will remove the specific slogan that sparked on online petition signed by more than 120 000 people, and have committed to remove more of what they describe as insensitive slogans in coming months.

I wholeheartedly congratulate and thank Paula Orbea, who started the petition after her 11-year-old daughter read the slogan which incited sexual violence against women and girls.

Paula has shown that by calling out sexism and misogyny, we can put a stop to it, and change the culture that normalises and condones it.

These sexist slogans promote violence against women, which is sadly a massive problem in Australia.

One in every three Australian women over the age of 15 have experienced violence and one in every five have experienced sexual violence.

Most often women know their attacker, with one Australian woman a week killed by her partner or ex-partner.

Violence against women is certainly no laughing matter it is a national emergency, Senator Waters said.

Fastcoach · Senior Member

I wholeheartedly agree with the Greens on this matter. The sooner we, as a society, lift our games in relation to attempted black humour about sexist, racist and homophobic topics the better.

Unfortunately, Wicked Campers is the major winner out of all this publicity. As they say in the advertising industry, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Or, say whatever you like, just make sure you get the name right.

This is a "low rent" company which offers very poor standard old vehicles to the unsuspecting. They try to make these bombs look cool to their target market by scribbling stupid and offensive slogans all over them. I would like to see a more active role taken by the authorities to more thoroughly check these campers for road defects. As was the case not so long ago, many were found to be un-roadworthy and were either put off the road or at least made to complete the necessary repairs.

Vic41 · Guru

I fully support the proposed actions against wicked campers, there are heaps of funny slogans that can be used on their vans that are not tacky/smutty or offensive to the majority.

Talking of domestic violence, don't forget that domestic violence also applies to men and one in three victims of domestic violence are males, see;

http://www.oneinthree.com.au/malevictims

There were some good documentaries on recently about scheming females killing their partners for financial gain or so they could be with their lovers etc. These were true cases.

I am not disputing that the majority of victims are females, but bear in mind it cuts both ways and none of it is "OK".

I feel sorry for all the victims but in particular the children who are murdered and used as pawns and end up being innocent victims.

There is an Australia wide rally coming up on 25th July for domestic violence against women if anyone is interested, see;

http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 21st of July 2014 01:13:59 PM

billeeeeeee · Guru

I think the people responsible for the problem with the Wicked campers ,are the people who hire them ,,,stay excited Billeeeeeee Ps, I have seen utter filth on the back of Caravans and M/homes, and people don't say zilch about that, how about we clean up our own back yard !!First!!,..................am not saying the slogans on the van are right ,,,,,

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Monday 21st of July 2014 12:22:53 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I always get a laugh from slogans on the Wicked Campers - and as Billeeeeeee says, have seen some shockers on motorhomes and caravans.

I don't condone violence directed at anyone, let alone women, but with the Wicked Campers, I think they should be worrying about the fact that young people are being ripped off with inferior and often unroadworthy vehicles hired to them, often at highly inflated prices. Also overloading them, have seen some of these, and other brands as well, with their back ends hanging almost on the ground.

As the attachment on Billeeeeeee's post says - there are more things to worry about than a few swear words!!!!

chaslib · Senior Member

I agree, we need to clean up our own backyard .... But the aim of this issue is just that .... what sort of message are we sending our youth and the overseas youth who hire these vehicles, if as a community we allow this type of negative advertising to happen. Change can only start when someone stands up and says NO. Anyway, over and out!

Lesley F · Veteran Member

Personally, the comments don't offend me, but agrees their cars looked "clapped out", dangerous and leaky.

Mostly young Europeans hire these vans, and it's a rough and uncomfortable way to travel.

Vic41 · Guru

chaslib wrote:
I agree, we need to clean up our own backyard .... But the aim of this issue is just that .... what sort of message are we sending our youth and the overseas youth who hire these vehicles, if as a community we allow this type of negative advertising to happen. Change can only start when someone stands up and says NO. Anyway, over and out!

I agree chaslib, because people are concerned at the messages on these vans (or local vans) does not mean they are not concerned about other domestic or overseas issue as well. You can be concerned over more than one thing.

At least someone is making a stand on this particular issue as are others on a variety of issues.

I wonder what messages these young overseas backpackers read into these messages of us as a society in general.

Cloak · Guru

I prefer free speech. Anything entertaining I say.

The Phantom · Guru

How long before we start moaning about the Nanny State

The Phantom

Bryan · Guru

The Phantom wrote:
How long before we start moaning about the Nanny State

The Phantom

Too late. It's here already

Lesley F · Veteran Member

After all. they are named WICKED, not politically correct camping vans.

I'm sure it's all meant in humour, not directed purely towards women.

One in particular made reference to male genital size, does that mean all males should sign petitions and protest to the Govt?

Honestly, if you're an alcoholic, violent person, gambler, or have negative traits, I don't believe for one second that a slogan on a wicked van will influence your behaviour.

Victoria has been called a nanny State for many years, appears it's gone around Australia, and some Grey Nomads are becoming the new Nanny police department.

Instead of watching Wicked Vans, try a bit of sightseeing around our beautiful country.

Vic41 · Guru

If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.
Albert Einstein

http://www.ikedaquotes.org/good-evil/good-evil575.html

The earlier posts are just others giving their opinions, whether we agree or otherwise with them.

Name calling, such as saying some GN's are being like Nanny Police is offensive IMHO.

We can differ with our opinions without resorting to personal abuse of those who don't agree with us.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 21st of July 2014 04:48:17 PM

Fastcoach · Senior Member

Obviously Billeeeeeee has far more travel experience than we do because we haven't seen anything overly offensive on the back of MHs or vans.

Perhaps he'd like to share some real examples he's seen. We're sure he'll blank out anything too off in the name of good taste.

Webmaster · Guru

Thanks everyone for your input on this. I think I will close this now as we don't want things to deteriorate. We would like to keep our forum a positive and inclusive place to be. Thanks for your understanding.

johnq · Guru

We are not ridiculous to ourselves and our minds are forever open*, that goes without saying. Strangely enough youth, men and women alike, may see us otherwise and we don't like the mirror they hold up.

Political correctness should be bagged. That is what they are being disrespectful towards, the very deep intolerance of political correctness that we don't even see when we moderate our behaviour to suit (and often in anticipation). We are political correctness.

Maybe youth looks for honesty in communication and frankness, authenticity, and we do not appreciate it when they tease us for our compliance with restrictions on our freedoms, especially freedom of speech.

*did that need a sarcasm alert?

My 2c worth, and cheap to cast away if you want. However when you do that, do you have any explanation for the appeal of Wicked's satire to youth, women and men? Maybe ban youth?

oldbobsbus · Guru

I have more fun looking for things of interest than reading what is written on the back of vehicles...

Crikey it's a BIG country and there is soooooo much more to see and do than become emotional about the back of someone else's vehicle..

Some people need to get a life and leave others alone..

Senate passes Greens motion condemning Wicked Campers promotion of sexual violence against women

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.