A new series of posters meant to dissuade molesters in Singapore has caught the attention of the public for all the wrong reasons.

Dissuading potential molesters because "it is not worth it"

The posters, many of which have appeared in MRT stations, depict a stock image of a man reaching out to touch his victim.

On the wrist of the man in each poster is a price tag, printed with the words, "2 years' imprisonment: It is not worth it".

AWARE disagrees with ads' message

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) has since taken issue with the way the message is framed, which is implying that the crime is "not worth it" due to the jail term.

In a Facebook post on Nov. 14, AWARE pointed out that these posters were "putting a price on sexual violence, like it's a commodity to purchase and consume".

AWARE wrote: "Would one year's imprisonment be worth it? Or six months? What is inflicting harm and trauma upon another human being worth?"

"We desperately need a shift in the way we talk about and frame sexual violence."

Responses

Commenters online agreed with AWARE's position, noting that the messaging could be improved upon.

Previous campaigns focus on the victim's actions

Previous anti-molestation advertisements focused on steps that the victim could take in the event of molest, or to avoid being molested.

These public service announcements were criticised, as those who disagreed with the messaging said the onus should not fall on the victims, but rather, the focus ought to be that would-be perpetrators should not commit crimes.

This was so as even though the messaging had shifted towards discouraging the would-be perpetrator from committing the crime, it has ended up commodifying it with the focus on the outcome of paying a penalty for wrongdoing.

Top image via AWARE Singapore's Facebook page