Abusive public service spots
 

A friend pointed these out to me tonight. What do you think? Was the Television Bureau of Canada correct in denying the air time?

Here's my attempt to embed the first of the two videos:

<embed src="http://www.homefrontcalgary.com/Boardroom_R_Full_Frame.mpg" width=400 height=400></embed>

I figured linking two videos to the same thread wouldn't work out so well, even if I did it correctly so you should know there's a second one available (which I think is even more graphic) at the link below:
http://www.homefrontcalgary.com/announcements/index.htm

Ummm... wow. That clip threw me for a loop.

That was pretty... intense... I'm not sure if I would want kids to see that.

I don't mean to take the whole domestic abuse problem lightly, but that was hilarious.

If people can draw the distinction between fantasy and reality, and apply that situation to either, then the ad will work. However alot of people can't decifer the difference between such, and instead of seeing it for what it is, it is seen as a vehicle for whatever debate for whatever reasons. Should it be shown? This one? No, and not because of the content.

The better ad would have had the crisis situation in the home, and more violent. That would hit home moreso than candy coating abuse against women by placing them in a context where they are least likely to be assaulted, the work place.

I understand the point of the ad in it's context, but it doesn't go far enough and doesn't need to be sold in that fashion. That's just not reality.

Holy crap! They wanted to put that on TV? jeeez-oh....umm yeah well NO. The message may be well intended but there are much better ways to go about delivering.

I think it would work well. The best commercials are shocking. Only air it after 8 or 9pm maybe, if you don't want kids seeing it.

On the one hand, WTF! On the other, context aside, that was pretty amusing, not to make light of a serious subject.

I'm not sure that this commercial should be aired on TV at all. It seems just a bit too edgy.

I agree. I think it'd work well. This kind of issue needs to be a little graphic because that's what's actually happening.

I'm glad that the abuse issue is being addressed but I'm not sure the commercial went far enough to explain what was going on. I had no idea what the topic was until the brief statement at the very end. I'm surprised I even heard it because I was still processing the beating I just observed.

I agree with aurigus, after 8 or 9 pm but they should also add a better explaination of what they are trying to impress on the viewer.

why does anyone watch tv in the first place? that wasnt a very comforting commercial, but censorship is one of the silliest things i can imagine. if someone wants to pay to see something like that/have it made, more power to them.

Agreed. If they're going to take this path, and I'm not so sure that I totaly agree with that just yet, then at least show it in its natural habitat...the home. That way when kids see it, they can at least say "Hey! You mean that's...not right? I better say something." That would, at least, give it value.

My first thought is, holy sizzling saints on a spit!

I think the ad is perfect because it absolutely shows that there should be no way to get away with that sort of shit just becasue it's in the home and not the workplace.

I think it should air during soap operas and sporting events. There is abso-fucking-lutely no reason for a spouse to do that sort of shit, but I have seen it happen.

That ad is spot on.

watching it it certainly made an impression on me..i guess i'm pro ad because it certainly made me sit and think about what i had just seen.

I think there is a misconception here that the abusers who are viewing these ads will see themselves in them and make a connection. IE: "hey, I am kinda like that guy dumping the coffee on the waitress, maybe my actions are not appropriate." You and I being of saner stuff would hope this connection would be made.

The trouble is that the abusers never make that sort of connection. They are doing what they feel is right and everyone else is wrong. All these sorts of "shocking" adds are going to do is upset children and abuse survivors.

Yikes. Watching that made me very uncomfortable..

I say show them. Definitely not for children though. I've never understood how women put up with these asshats. And yes, I know of women who were in that situation.

interesting way of juxtaposition...

I'm waiting for the day is domestic abuse is rejected and clever ads are OK. I don't know how to get the idea of abuse being wrong to abuser, but this may be a good start.

The ad is quite affective. So much so, that I could not watch it again. Sure, show it on television, but only after the family hour. You don't want this to be seen in the middle of Frosty the Snowman.

I watched them both, once, I couldnt watch them again

I agree with the others that said the setting should have been a domestic one

That ad is brilliant!! There is absolutely NO REASON why it should not be shown, especially at all hours. We don't protect our children from violence in cartoons, sports, news or anywhere else. Why should a PSA be censored? That doesn't make any sense.

The people who object to this ad and live in the US should think a little harder on the subject. There is way more violent material being shown in afternoon cartoons. Garfield for that matter is way more violent.

I find it strange that gung-ho pro-USA people only advocate freedoms, such as free speech when it only suits their purpose, or that censorship is ok when it comes to something like domestic violence, but it's a free speech issue to be able to curse on TV or the radio. (and no, I am not some crazy-liberal-left-wing-nut, I'm just pointing out a perspective, that's all)

The argument of fantasy vs. reality is not relevant. In fact, I would argue that violence in fantasy is worse, as it only desensitizes violence to us more. Desensitization is still desensitization, indoctrination is indoctrination, and institutionalization is institutionalization.

The ad has purpose: not senseless, gratuitous violence like most programming. It makes you think rather than passively absorb information thrown at you, as with most tv programming.

Should we put TV ratings on basketball games? Should there be a age minimum to attend sporting events? Athletes curse, act violently, and aren't exactly a model behavior to emulate. Funny, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson and many others are glorified, yet not admonished for their domestice abuse problems.

I don't know, either way, but we can't have it both ways.

Good thread, good topic, and good discussion. Lots of issues generated and raised here. What do you think people?

I say the ads are perfect and children should DEFINITELY see them. Abuse of this type is no joke, this is what happens. In many cases this also happens to the children, and they may in fact think that it is ok for their parents to do this to them. EVERYONE should see these. Yes, it is violent, yes it is shocking... but thats the entire point. It is being used to PREVENT this type of violence, and i believe it does it perfectly.

Great post jorgelito. I agree, these ads are amazing. Yes, they are shocking and yes, they are violent, but they have a purpose that is clearly stated and represented. And I believe that it would be important to show it during "family hour." Would I want my kids, if I had any, to see this? Absolutely. I would not go out of my way to show them these all the time, but I would allow them to see it without changing the channel. Not to say that I wouldn't be tempted, but it's important to recognize the problem. What's the point in trying to make a strong statement that is centered around the interactions of a family unit if the family cannot see it? Actually, I believe that goes for any problem. How can we eliminate a problem if we can't recognize it and stare it straight in the face?

I thought they were pretty powerful and the point across to someone like me. But like someone previously posted, I don't think an actual abuser would put himself in that situation and say "Boy, what am I doing?" I think they should be shown, because you need to be blunt with this subject.

Sure they are nice and shocking, but I don't think they would do shit to stop abuse.

Good Gravy... I dont think I can decide...

Yeah, I think it should air, it's shocking but sadly true. Too bad bastards like that get nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

I'd like to see one done about abusive treatment centers for children. A subject no one seems to give a rats ass about.

*ahem* don't say no one gives a rats ass. there are plenty of people who do. //threadjack

I figured I'd wait before sharing my opinion. I agree with most of you - I think the ads should air, though I tend to lean toward daytime television. I think those of you who've stated that the abusers would never see themselves in this are correct - the target audience should be the abused. I don't know why, but the women I've known who have put up with this kind of shit don't see themselves as abused until they're finally ready to leave. They tend to think "It's normal" or "I deserve it". Maybe this would wake one or two of them up.

Pinkie - we do care. I've got a "special needs" daughter, and she is so precious to us I can't even begin to describe it. She gets (and gives) a bazillion hugs and kisses every day from her parents, her grandparents, her teachers - you name it. She is loved to bits, and she positively glows as a result. Having said that, I've never been able to understand how someone who has a perfectly "normal" healthy, happy kid could ever treat them as badly as so many parents do. If I trusted the government not to screw it up completley, I would be in favour of having to get a license or permit to have children. They're too precious to leave at the mercy of the sad excuses for humanity they often get saddled with.

Hmmm...I think Seething and Ustwo have a good point too. Perhaps the abuser may not see it or "get" it, but at the very least, the ads have generated discussion which is a start. Or maybe a neighbor, or relative or the victim.

Pinkie, don't despair, I agree with JusDisGuy. Stay strong and diligent.

I don't think it's really all that effective. I agree with a couple earlier posters in that there is too much amusement (of course maybe i've just learned to separate TV from reality too much). It's shocking at first, but after awhile I think it would be outright humorous to a lot of people. There was actually a radio add on here around 6 months ago (maybe more, can't remember) that was similar in tone. The first time I heard it, it was pretty dramatic, but later when I heard it with my friends we couldn't help but laugh.

Agreed, that the target of the ad would be women who are abused. The abusers (I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they are mainly male) are not watching TV, but out getting drunk.

I'm not a psychologist here, but from what I understand most abused women, who don't leave the abusive husband, try to rationalize why they are being abused. For example, I must have done something wrong, thats just the way he is, etc. This ad is a GREAT juxtaposition, that this is not normal behavior and is not acceptable under any conditions.

The only reason why I say it should be shown later at night is that if a kid, who is not in an abusive home and has not seen anything like that before - should not be subjected to that sort of violence.

I think we found an acting job for Ron Artest if the whole rap album thing doesn't work out.

Just in case you only viewed the clips and didn't happen to catch what they said on their site. They said “The purpose of the PSAs is to shine a light on domestic abuse by putting domestic violence situations in public places where it would not be tolerated.”

I can see their point of view. I agree with those who suggest that the abuser isn't the best target audience. I think the victim should be the target audience. I think it might be better if they had their number at the bottom of the screen the whole time. Give someone a chance to get a pen and write it down. The few seconds that the number is shown at the end I was still recovering from the shock and it didn't even register right away.

As for children viewing it. My gut reaction is - no - they shouldn't view this. Then a thought about it again. Putting my own daughter there to watch it - I think it'd be ok. Yes she is only 4 and yes violence makes her sit up and take notice. She's walked into the livingroom while hubby's watching a movie and she's been playing elseware. She happens to see a fight or something and she automatically turns to me. "What's happening? Why is he doing that?" It gives me a chance to explain. "It's just pretend, it's a movie." "He's trying to steal. That's wrong..." or something of the kind. If she were to see this I could guarantee she'd ask me questions. In her home she doesn't have to view that but as she grows older, who knows but she may have a friend eventually who is in an abusive home situation. She can know what her friend is going through or seeing and she can help that friend. I doubt highly it would give her nightmares. She trusts me to explain things and to help her understand that while this doesn't happen to her, it does happen to others and she needs to do what she can, if she ever hears of this kind of thing, to tell someone who can stop it. I don't think I'd get too worried about her seeing it. Children have an amazing capacity for understanding and compassion. I think it could arm her to dealing with this in the future.

Just one more note. In elementary school I had a friend who lived in an abusive home. When she came to school with a black eye and I found out who'd done it I had no idea what to do or how to respond. I think if I'd known what abuse was at the time I could have been more of a comfort to my friend. As it was I ended up avoiding her the rest of the day. I regret that. I'd like to think that teaching my daughter about this kind of thing could help her help someone else in a way I failed.

Thank you so much for your input. A recent death of a 14 year old boy has me very emotional, not to mention I was in one of those places 20 years ago. That place was sued and shut down, but re-opened under different names. :| I just wish there were better government regulations on the many, many places that are abusive to children, branched out from the Us (not only in the US) but in Mexico, and other places too. Hell, Dr. Phil was plugging them on his show the other day - one that has been alleged abusive, neglectful, and unethical.

Abuse is abuse whether it's to an adult or a child, at home or in the workplace, but for severe abuse to exist in places that are supposed to be therapeutic??? Shameful.

PM me if you want to discuss this further. :)

jorgelito ~ Thanks, I will. :)

yea.... I dont have sound here at school. So I am just seeing this guy flip out and beat this lady's head in for no apparent reason. I dont think that it is the best thing for children to be seeing, but there are much worse things on TV. The fact that it is a public service commercial makes me wonder what they were thinking. I mean, sex & violence in TV/movies is one thing, but these commercials are supposed to be helping. Making light of a serious thing like domestic abuse isn't a good way to get the message across.

I definately feel like these should not be aired, at least not until after 9pm.

I tend to disagree with you. I think that the target is neither the abuser nor the abused.

The target is the person who hears this through an apartment wall or sees happen and does nothing.

If you see it or hear it and don't report it, you're contributing to some helplessly trapped person's misery and suffering and share just as much guilt as the abuser.

Sure, no one wants to butt in or get involved. But do you then wish to live with yourself? Think about it.

I know the arguement exists that the abused must do something to get out of the situation, but that is sometimes beyond their means. Fear is a terribly powerful and persuasive force.

Also, the police can and will arrest an abuser without the abused pressing charges. If the police catch it happening, they can drag the bastard away in chains. An abused person pressing charges is an "after the fact" thing.

Don't just sit there and turn up the TV. Do something. And FYI, yes, I have called the police when it was necessary. I'm not going to jump into the middle of a domestic violence situation on my own, but I'm not going to let it go on if I have the power to do something about it, either.

I guess it depends on how serious you are about trying to eradicate this crap. Is it important enough to arm women and children against it, by telling them very clearly that this kind of behavoir isn't acceptable? Seems to me that people like to be in denial about this, "oh, what he did wasn't abuse! I deserved that." is repeated over and over by women (and occasionally men) who refuse to take the next step. These ads would explain it to those suffering in this way that (1) they're not alone, (2) it's not acceptable, and (3) there are ways to get help with it.

This is the real world. These things are done here. If we ever want to eradicate this kind of behavoir, we've got to shine light on it and make it clear to all how bad it is. Your little boy can grow up and be an abuser. This kind of spot is like a vaccine. Which would y'all prefer?

You may have a point. But I don't agree that it needs to be even worse. Make one that is worse, perhaps, but make one that's more ambiguous. The idea of the second one would be to get people to talk about it.

How do guys like that get a woman to marry them? What am I missing?

First time the ad was offensive, second time I watched it I laughed cause his outburst is just so ridiculous. I don’t know, people watch TV to get away from problems no sense in reminding them so I say don’t air it.