Teen Rape PSA: Controversial UK Ad Highlights Sexual Violence Within Relationships (VIDEO)

"If you could see yourself, would you see rape?" With this question, a controversial new ad campaign in the UK aims to change the way teens view rape. The public service announcement uses shock value to convey the fact that rape doesn't always take the form of a violent attack from a hooded criminal -- it can happen within committed relationships.

The perception-altering ad is aimed at teens who might never associate rape with themselves or their group of friends. The 60-second video depicts a nice-looking teenage boy watching himself from behind a glass wall as things are getting heated with his girlfriend. Initially they're kissing and nothing seems to be wrong, but he becomes forceful and the girl resists his advances -- at this point, the boy begins screaming at himself to stop and pounding on the glass.

Commissioned by the British government, the PSA is part of the UK Home Office's "This Is ABUSE" campaign for teen rape prevention. Targeted at 13 to 18-year-olds, the ads will air during popular teen shows like Skins.

Airing on the heels of teen dating violence awareness month, the PSA highlights the fact that roughly one-third of teen girls and one in six teenage boys has experienced sexual violence from their partner. Teen dating violence has been making U.S. headlines recently, as well. Students and an assemblyman in California are pushing Lara's Bill, a piece of legislation that would introduce anti-dating abuse policies and provide resources to California public high school students. And the state of Oregon also recently passed a bill aimed at preventing teen dating violence by requiring schools to address the issue.

What do you think about the new PSA? Is it important to use shock value to convey the seriousness of the issue, or does it cross a line? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Via Jezebel.

Comments

[TheFamousChris]

02:27 PM on 04/10/2012

Why on earth would this ad be controversial?

[Helen Rogers]

08:11 PM on 04/09/2012

This is a FABULOUS ad! I wish the USA wasn't so soft when it comes to addressing this issue.

[Melissa Pruitt]

10:14 PM on 03/23/2012

I'm definitely going to show it to my 15 and 16 year old daughters. Unless you are prepared, it's not always possible to know how to act in the moment - this video makes clear how the girl feels choiceless and doesn't really understand what is happening. Many people - both men and women probably- won't think this is rape. I heard someone say about this video: "if that's rape, then I've been raped. In fact, if that's rape, most teenage girls have been raped." Sadly, that may be closer to true than society knows.

[Catothemuchyounger]

08:40 PM on 03/17/2012

Pretty well done, I thought.

[SeeTheFnords]

08:38 AM on 03/16/2012

This PSA is very well done. Almost triggering, but not quite. It should play worldwide.

[fredb5404]

07:13 PM on 03/15/2012

i think it needs to be addressed and i think its a good think to make people more aware but being a victim its hard to watch tv anymore because it might come on and trigger a panic attack or flash back and nightmares.

[Anne Marie313]

02:08 PM on 03/12/2012

This should be aired everywhere. Not often enough is rape from a significant other addressed. Sadly enough this does happen and often goes without being taken as seriously as regular rape.

[RML 1]

01:44 PM on 03/12/2012

As a victim of crime, I don't think this video is shocking at all. It's really quite tame. Well done, and viewable for many audiences. This gives a great example how the rapist can deny the crime because they don't think what they were doing was rape.

[Thinking31]

11:20 AM on 03/12/2012

I think in addition to an ad like this one, the public should be educated about manipulation and cajolement common in teenage exchanges. A boundary is being crossed when someone tirelessly attempts to persuade someone into sexual activity after they decline. Those methods may range to the threat of rejection to making false claims of love. At any rate if someone is not interested in sex that disinterest should be respected and if any manipulation follows which ends in sexual activity that is not wanted out of pure desire arising from loving feelings, the act should be deemed rape.

[BrooklynChef]

10:26 AM on 03/13/2012

If at first you don't succeed, try try again

[Smoochiecui]

01:26 AM on 03/11/2012

wow..thats messed up that this stuff happens

[Amie Nogrady]

10:43 PM on 03/08/2012

Definitely needs to be aired in the US. Daily.

[QuickFire]

07:50 PM on 03/08/2012

This should be show everywhere.

[ray allen]

07:20 PM on 03/08/2012

I taught both my kids that both partners need to be sober, awake, aware, and there needs to mutual consent.

Guys can be victims too.

[Despyria]

03:40 PM on 03/08/2012

Hope something like that can play here. Showing it in a different light... a common light, might enlighten some guys that there are actions aren't as innocuous as they might think.

[Edwin Keever Jr]

11:06 AM on 03/08/2012

Boys have to learn that No! means NO! not yes. I was a kid once and I had to think with the head on my shoulders not the one down below. Now I aam 58 and have a lovely girlfriend and Sometines I let the other head do the thinking.