12 October 2011

NZ petition urges Facebook to remove offensive pages

The National Council of Women of NZ (NCWNZ), in association with White Ribbon Campaign, has launched a petition calling for Facebook to immediately remove pages which promote sexual and other violence against women.

NCWNZ is appalled at Facebook’s decision to allow pages which condone and promote violence against women. These pages include ‘You know she's playing hard to get when you're chasing her down an alleyway’, ‘Punching pregnant women in the stomach’, and ‘Riding your girlfriend softly cause you don't want to wake her up.’

Facebook allows these pages to remain online despite their clear violation of the site’s Terms of Service.

NCWNZ is a long established not for profit organisation whose objective is to achieve equal opportunities for women and improve their quality of life and well-being. NCWNZ President Elizabeth Bang said, “As an organisation working to improve the status of women and build a society in which women are safe, NCWNZ strongly urges Facebook to remove this material”.

White Ribbon Campaign manager Rob McCann added, “We know that violence against women is an issue here in New Zealand. Statistics tell us that one in four women will experience sexual assault, and one in three women experience partner violence in their lifetime. These are issues that should not be taken lightly.”

Facebook’s Terms of Service clearly prohibit users from posting material which is hateful, threatening, incites violence or contains gratuitous violence. There are also rules against bullying, intimidating or harassing other users and using Facebook to do anything discriminatory.

But Facebook has refused to remove a proliferation of pro-rape and other pages promoting violence against women, despite receiving numerous complaints.

Elizabeth Bang commented, “Facebook is a social network with global reach and influence – it needs to be consistent in the application of its Terms of Service.

“We encourage all New Zealanders – men and women - to take a stand on this issue and support our campaign. Join those who have signed petitions in the US and the UK, and let Facebook know that New Zealanders do not condone a culture in which rape and violence against women are OK.

To support the campaign visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/violenceagainstwomenonfacebook/ and add your name. It’s easy and all you need is a valid email address.

ENDS

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