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100 signatures reached
To: The Film and Publication Board (FPB)
Sexual violence should never be entertainment.
We call on the Film and Publication Board to adopt survivor-centred standards when depicting sexual violence.
- We ask that the Film and Publication Board incorporate survivor-centered standards for the depiction of sexual violence in TV. While the FBP already assesses the content according to context, impact as well as potential harm, its guidelines should explicitly recognise the potential for exploitative depictions of sexual violence that could retraumatise survivors, reinforce harmful myths as well as undermine the public understanding of sexual violence,
- We ask productions commit to avoiding prolonged or unnecessarily graphic depictions of rape and sexual assault, to instead use implication, sound, editing and storytelling techniques instead of explicit visual portrayals whenever possible,
- To consult survivors and trauma experts when writing or filming these scenes.
- And also, ensuring that every production involving sexual violence uses qualified intimacy professionals and trauma-informed practices and to provide clear, specific content warnings before episodes containing sexual violence.
We know that stories about gender-based violence are important, however, graphic depictions of sexual assault are not the only, or the best way to tell them. Powerful storytelling should never come at the expense of survivors' wellbeing. This campaign is not calling for censorship or the removal of important stories about sexual violence. Rather, it asks those in the film industry to recognise that there are responsible ways to portray these experiences without unnecessarily retraumatising survivors or even sensationalising abuse.
South Africa continues to face a devastating gender-based violence crisis and our film and television industry has the power to educate, challenge harmful attitudes, and foster empathy. By adopting survivor-centred standards, filmmakers can ensure that stories about sexual violence inform and inspire change without exploiting trauma or compromising the dignity of survivors.
Why is this important?
South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. Everyday, thousands of survivors are living with the effects of GBV and these survivors are also part of the audience watching our films and television shows. So stories about gender-based violence are important. They can educate, raise awareness, challenge harmful beliefs and also encourage people to speak out, but there is a difference between telling an important story and showing graphic sexual violence in ways that are sometimes unnecessary or exploitative.
Sometimes, our films and television series include long or graphic sexual assault
scenes that add little to the story, and filmmakers have many other ways to show the seriousness of sexual violence without forcing audiences to watch the assault itself. Through strong acting, sound, editing and careful storytelling, they can communicate what happened while protecting the dignity of survivors.
This campaign is not asking filmmakers to stop telling stories about gender-based
violence, we understand that these stories matter and deserve to be told. Instead, we are asking the industry to think more carefully about how these stories are told, because sexual violence should never be used simply to shock audiences, create entertainment or develop a character.
Recent public conversations on social media have shown us why this issue matters. The discussion surrounding allegations made during the production of Red Ink, involving actors Bonko Khoza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, sparked debate about how intimate scenes are filmed and whether enough is being done to protect actors and while the facts of that case remain disputed, it has reminded many South Africans that filming sexual violence comes with serious responsibilities.
Survivors of sexual violence also deserve to be considered. Watching a graphic assault scene can be upsetting or retraumatising, especially when viewers are not given clear warnings about what they are about to see. Better content warnings and more thoughtful storytelling would allow people to make informed choices about what they watch.
This campaign is about responsible storytelling, not censorship. We are not asking
filmmakers to avoid difficult topics. We are asking them to tell these stories in ways that are ethical, respectful and survivor-centred. Our entertainment industry has the power to influence how society understands gender-based violence, and by reducing unnecessary graphic sexual assault scenes and adopting survivor-centred standards, filmmakers can continue telling powerful stories without turning trauma into entertainment. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with dignity, care and respect.
Every film, every television series and every decision behind the camera shapes how millions of people understand sexual violence. If we stay silent, nothing changes. If we speak up today, we can encourage an industry to tell these important stories with dignity instead of exploitation. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with care, respect and humanity, not used as entertainment.
You have the power to change how these stories are shown. Sign this petition and help us call on South Africa's film and television industry to adopt more responsible, survivor-centred standards for portraying sexual violence. Together, we can show that powerful storytelling never has to come at the expense of human dignity.
Sometimes, our films and television series include long or graphic sexual assault
scenes that add little to the story, and filmmakers have many other ways to show the seriousness of sexual violence without forcing audiences to watch the assault itself. Through strong acting, sound, editing and careful storytelling, they can communicate what happened while protecting the dignity of survivors.
This campaign is not asking filmmakers to stop telling stories about gender-based
violence, we understand that these stories matter and deserve to be told. Instead, we are asking the industry to think more carefully about how these stories are told, because sexual violence should never be used simply to shock audiences, create entertainment or develop a character.
Recent public conversations on social media have shown us why this issue matters. The discussion surrounding allegations made during the production of Red Ink, involving actors Bonko Khoza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, sparked debate about how intimate scenes are filmed and whether enough is being done to protect actors and while the facts of that case remain disputed, it has reminded many South Africans that filming sexual violence comes with serious responsibilities.
Survivors of sexual violence also deserve to be considered. Watching a graphic assault scene can be upsetting or retraumatising, especially when viewers are not given clear warnings about what they are about to see. Better content warnings and more thoughtful storytelling would allow people to make informed choices about what they watch.
This campaign is about responsible storytelling, not censorship. We are not asking
filmmakers to avoid difficult topics. We are asking them to tell these stories in ways that are ethical, respectful and survivor-centred. Our entertainment industry has the power to influence how society understands gender-based violence, and by reducing unnecessary graphic sexual assault scenes and adopting survivor-centred standards, filmmakers can continue telling powerful stories without turning trauma into entertainment. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with dignity, care and respect.
Every film, every television series and every decision behind the camera shapes how millions of people understand sexual violence. If we stay silent, nothing changes. If we speak up today, we can encourage an industry to tell these important stories with dignity instead of exploitation. Survivors deserve to see their experiences treated with care, respect and humanity, not used as entertainment.
You have the power to change how these stories are shown. Sign this petition and help us call on South Africa's film and television industry to adopt more responsible, survivor-centred standards for portraying sexual violence. Together, we can show that powerful storytelling never has to come at the expense of human dignity.