Pro-censorship feminist group Equality Now’s latest crusade against freedom of expression took the form of an attack on Japan’s eroge industry, causing the industry to censor itself in a futile effort to dissuade politicians from harassing it any further; however, the group itself admits to receiving “unprecedented” criticism for its meddling, which it characterises as “hate mail”.
It appears the reaction to the group’s campaign has been most unfavourable, so much so that it has desperately attempted to refute the criticism by its usual expedient of failing to present any statistics or factual evidence in support of its claims, save the specious propaganda other feminist groups frequently publish.
The group’s whimpering response can be read below:
Since launching Women’s Action 33.1 calling for the withdrawal of RapeLay,a violation simulator game produced and sold in Japan, and for the Japanese government to effectively address violence and discrimination against women, Equality Now has been inundated with responses.
Many have been positive and have come from women and men in Japan and around the world in support of the Action. Some have spoken about their own experiences and the negative impact they feel this form of hentai is having on women and girls, who have become increasingly targeted with sexual harassment.
Sadly, however, Equality Now has also received an unprecedented amount of hate mail, including death and bomb threats. Many of these messages have referred to statisticsof violation in Japan that are reportedly far lower than in the U.S. for example [such as these].
Equality Now does not believe it serves any purpose to excuse crimes in one country by pointing out that there are more in another.
In addition, women’s rights activists in Japan inform us that the numbers of reported rapes are not likely to reflect the actual incidentsof violation in Japan. It is also difficult for women in Japan to report r**e because victims have little faith in the criminal justice system and are worried about the stigma attached to violation.
This was also reflected by the United Nations Committee that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
When examining the report of the Japanese government in 2003, the Committee expressed concern about “the prevalence of violence against women and girls and about women’s apparent reluctance to seek assistance from existing public institutions.” The Committee also noted that “the penaltyfor violation is relatively lenient.”
The fact that there are women-only carriages on Japanese commuter trains due to the high prevalence of groping and sexual harassment faced by women in Japan also highlights the need for the government to actively address violence against women.
Banning extreme computer simulator games that promote sexual violence and harassment such as RapeLay would be a step in this direction.
A large portion of the hate mail and threats we received not only underlines the profound misogyny that is prevalent among consumers of such games, many also conflated Equality Now’s campaign to the opposition to sex. Rape and sexual harassment are forms of violence against women and girls and can never be equated with consensual sex.
We ask that you continue to write to Illusion Software asking it to fully withdraw RapeLay [sic: RapeLay has already been withdrawn] and all other similar titles and to Amazon which also sells similar games promoting the rape, indecent assault, stalking and molestation of women and girls. Please also write to the Japanese government urging it to comply with its international obligations under CEDAW.
You may also find it useful to contact Equality Now directly about their continued attacks on freedom of speech in Japan and elsewhere.
You are of course invited to explore the scant validity of their specious claims in the comments below.
“Unprecedented” my ass. They had to know what they were getting into. How could they NOT know? You try to censor anything, people are going to bite you in the rear for it. And rightfully so.
I’m a woman. I could be considered a classic feminist, wanting equal, and only equal, rights. Both the good and the bad that come with it, spare nothing. I f♥♥k up? Give me an equal jail sentence. I do something cool? Give me an equal reward. Nobody is superior to the other.
Want to fight sexual violence against us girls? Then fight the actual IRL crime. I play eroge. Do I want to actually r♥♥e anyone for real? Not in the least. I play violent games. Do I want to murder anyone? Not at all. Give me facts, please, ladies, and stop making us sane females look bad.
I can defend myself on my own just fine, thanks. Maybe you should learn how to as well and quit expecting others to hand everything to you on a silver platter.
Equality Now is a just like a rabid dog, needing to be put down before it infects others with its madness.
If you want women to be protected from sexual predators, tell them to arm themselves. You can get a gun in America, and a Taser in Japan. If you get the proper license you can even carry them around with you hidden instead of in plain view! For a woman to know they can do this, yet not take ANY measures to protect herself, means she is ALLOWING it to happen! That’s not r♥♥e, that’s Exhibitionism!
Um really? Death and bomb threats over banning raping games?
Yes!! a sensible woman and a sane voice in this raging stupidity Thank you for your comment Atma
In my opinion, I think it’s the ones that get ridiculed who turn to the eroge scene. I mean, how many rapists actually play these games? They probably think that they’re too ‘cool’ to play video games or masturbate to hentai.
I would defend these games more, but they’ve done little to actually making me hard. As long as hentai images and what-not are still on the internet, I don’t care if they win or lose.