SAVE, the Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton released their second round of posters this past Friday (Nov. 30th).

From their website:

Why our campaigns are different

Typically, sexual assault awareness campaigns target potential victims by urging women to restrict their behavior. Research is telling us that targeting the behavior of victims is not only ineffective, but also contributes to and increases self-blame in survivors. Instead, the SAVE campaigns targets potential offenders – ultimately the ones who hold the power and responsibility to end sexual assault.. By addressing sexual assault without victim-blaming, we intend to mark Edmonton on the map as a model for other cities.

I love that they put these out. I love that the focus is on the rapist, and I love that they also have two men on one of the posters. And I really love that the blame is not on the survivor.

These are a bit hard to look at, but it’s a topic that NEEDS to be discussed. Too much victim blaming goes on to not have posters like these exist.

This article shares the campaign, but criticizes the “Don’t Be That Guy” slogan on the bottom of each poster. I have to say I agree that the phrasing is too colloquial, but the overall ads are pretty amazing.

Thank you, SAVE, for putting out an unfortunately much needed awareness.