How to Take a Stand Against Immoral Advertising
Along with other pro-family groups and churches, Africa Christian Action is deeply concerned about the Sexpo to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre this weekend.
The Sexpo glamorizes and normalizes sexual immorality and an industry that promotes the exploitation, objectification and degrading of women.
Women need respect and protection. It is completely meaningless and hypocritical for us to have a National Women's Day, and then allow such degrading and exploitative events such as this Sexpo to abuse our Convention Centre.
In previous years, members of the public have defaced Sexpo billboards and posters, some by placing pro-family bumper stickers on the posters.
Whilst we may disagree with the methods used, we sympathise with the frustrations of Capetonians who are involuntarily subjected to such in-your-face pornographic images.
This kind of advertising is unacceptable, especially as children are inadvertently exposed to it.
Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2007, which makes it a criminal offence to expose children to pornography, has effectively been ignored by lawmakers and the Advertising Standards Authority. The Advertising Standard Authority did however, rule against Sexpo advertising used in Durban in 2008 as it, "reinforces a stereotype that women, especially provocatively dressed women, primarily serve as 'eye-candy' and should only be regarded as valuable for their sexual potential" and that "the only area of her body focussed on effectively reduces her to a sexual object." (ASA ruling, 28 September 2008).
Considering the extremely high incidents of rape, child abuse and sexual violence against women, Christian Action believes it is unacceptable that the City of Cape Town should host such a Sexpo in our premier Convention Centre in the very centre of Town, at the busiest intersection and entrance to the Waterfront.
"Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?" Psalm 94:16
What You Can Do:
- Complain to the Advertising Standards Authority about the sexist and degrading images of women used in Sexpo posters on streetlight poles around Cape Town. Despite being promoted as a "health and lifestyle expo", the parts of the woman's body focussed on in the posters, clearly demonstrates that the Sexpo is primarily geared towards the exploitation of women as sexual objects. These posters are also in areas seen by school children. Complain online at www.asasa.org.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Remember to include your name and ID number with each complaint.
- Some of the strip joint exhibitors have strong allegations of trafficking against them (we can send you more info on this). Write a letter to the Editor of the Cape Argus or Times: Cape Times: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Cape Argus: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and your local newspaper, expressing your concern about the Sexpo.
- Write to Cape Town mayor, requesting that the Sexpo posters be removed and that such an event not be held in Cape Town in the future: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.