19 February 2016

Campaign Launched to Clean Up Wicked Campers

Family First NZ has launched a campaign designed to pressure Wicked Campers in to removing offensive advertisements and messages on their campers which have been labelled sexist, misogynist and racist.

“Many families have been offended by the offensive signs on Wicked Campers that travel around NZ but have felt powerless to stop them. This campaign will focus on complaints being made to the local Council that the signage breaches the signage bylaws in that area. Based on theexperience in Whangarei recently, this could result in a prosecution for a bylaw breach with a penalty up to $20,000 and an order to cover up the offending material,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The Advertising Standards Authority has made numerous rulings against Wicked Campers, and has expressed disappointment at its refusal to respect the principles of self-regulation. Slogans such as “Fat chicks are harder to kidnap” have incurred the wrath of the Women’s Refuge NZ. And this month, a slogan proclaiming, “My boss told me I was a w***er, I was so surprised I almost let go of his c***”, prompted a complaint by local MP Dr Shane Reti to the Council. Other slogans have included “If you love me you would swallow it”, “Your thighs won’t touch if my head’s between them” and “a wife: an attachment you screw on the bed to get the housework done“. In December 2014, Police expressed concerns about a Wicked rental van that depicts Snow White smoking a crack pipe and tells people to “enjoy” the class A drug.”

“Our understanding is that between 2010 and 2015, Wicked Campers has had 13 complaints upheld against it by the ASA, but Wicked Campers simply ignores them! The Australian Senate in 2014 passed a Green party motion condemning the “sexist, misogynist and racist slogans” that Wicked campers have on their hire vans,” says Mr McCoskrie.

The campaign encourages families if they see an offensive Wicked Camper to take a photo of the offending artwork and vehicle and then work with Family First to make a complaint to the local Council.

“We would argue that any public advertising should be G-rated and suitable for children to view. It is vital that families continue to speak up rather than accept offensive material and the sexualisation of girls and women in the media and on billboards and vehicles. Local communities have an important role of protecting children from offensive advertising and the pornification of our culture,” says Mr McCoskrie.

Family First NZ is calling for the government to review and tighten codes around television advertising, billboards and outdoor advertising, including pre-vetting of advertising to ensure it meets appropriate standards.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

ENDS

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