Bloomingdales: Apology for Date Rape Ad Is Not Enough

In our country, 1 in 5 women are sexually assaulted (CDC, 2012; NSVRC, 2015). Alcohol is the number one date rape drug used in these assaults. Approximately one-half of all sexual assault victims report that they were drinking alcohol at the time of the assault, with estimates ranging from 30 to 79 percent (NIH, 2015). These statistics are sickening. We are all held responsible to make a change. Your holiday catalog ad showing a man leering at a female and saying to " spike your best friend's eggnog when they're not looking" promotes date rape. Ads like these are part of the reason we have statistics this high. It is appalling that you would, unintentionally, use date rape for profit, while perpetuating rape culture. A weak apology is not enough. You have a responsibility to counter the damage you inflicted by publishing this ad. Here are some possible suggestions:
1) Fire everyone responsible for approving the ad. You cannot condone a team that thinks rape is OK.
2) Publish a new ad that promotes consent instead. The definition of consent is a voluntary, mutual, sober, continuous and wanted act.
3) Make a donation to a sexual assault resource center.
We all have to work together to change the culture that allows 1 in 5 women to be assaulted. Now is your chance to make a difference, and restore your reputation.