‘Hit the Bitch’: Has an anti-violence campaign gone too far?
But that’s the idea behind a Danish anti-violence group that has unleashed “Hit the Bitch” on the world. In the PSA-hidden-in-a-game, the viewer must manipulate a hand attached to a big, hairy arm to hit a young woman.
Each time the woman is struck, the blow is rated. The aim of the game is to move your score from “100% pussy” to “100% gangsta.” When you reach the 100% gangsta level, you’ve apparently won the game. Or have you? As the woman lies on the floor, beaten, bloodied and weeping, the message “100% gansta, 100% idiot” — the moral of the game — appears.
It’s a bizarre game, one I admit to playing through to the end so I could write about it with some level of knowledge.
As I am hitting this woman wearing a Madonna T-shirt, and who has done little more than speak to me in Danish, I think, “Is this the kind of game that will instill anti-violence lessons in teenagers?” And then, “Does this game have any educational value for my 10-year-old son?”
What is horrifying about the game is that each time the young woman is struck, she reacts with a moan and rubs her face, which becomes increasingly bruised. Through it all, she's looking right at me, right into my eyes. Her facial expression and eyes are questioning me: “Why?” It's as intimate as anything I've seen online.
But how will this affect teenage boys?
My sense — and fear — is that this game will become one that teenage boys will gather together to play for the sport of it. And it is this thought that frightens me.
If any group needs to learn these lessons, it’s our young people.
For over 15 years, I’ve served on the board of LACASA, the organization in my community that runs the domestic violence shelter and works with victims and batterers.
The one constant lesson I've learned in my years on the board is that violence destroys the sense of self and worth; its nasty legacy stretches from generation to generation, bound by ties that are always tight and difficult to break.
So, LACASA works with victims and batterers; it also does an amazing job in the community to educate people — including students — about relationship violence.
The statistics are eye-opening. Students are surveyed both before and after school presentations; in 2008, 38 percent of the students said they knew someone who had experienced physical abuse, and 40 percent knew someone who had been sexually assaulted.
Prior to the presentation, nearly a third of the students said they thought forced sexual contact is acceptable if a partner is stoned or drunk, when partners have been previously intimate, when partners have dated for a long period of time, and when a partner spends a lot of money on a date.
After the presentation, that number drops to 8 percent. It seems the message got through loud and clear without anyone having to beat up anyone else in the virtual world.
It's hard to believe this same message will come across to young people via this “Hit the Bitch” campaign.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
roberto luigi
scanner
Steve Klingaman
Surazeus
Kanuk
wildmarjoram
Salon.com
Comments
I don't believe for a minute that this will prevent violence against women. As you say, it will be played for "sport", and boys will laugh about it. My god, this is virtually pornographic (no pun intended). Sickening.
Epic, epic fail.
So when they come up with a public awareness campaign I have to take it seriously. My guess is they want to bring attention to, and open up debate on the ways that culture encourages and rewards sadism. Generally violent abusers blame the victim for the abuse. Here it's clearly not the woman that's egging the person on, it's the culture and the games that the culture is providing.
In the context of an intelligent, progressive, highly educated society, I think it's a brilliant campaign. But I wouldn't use it in North America for obvious reasons.
xxpreciouSbabyxx (3 minutes ago) 0 Reply
yeah! Hit that fuckin'biatch!
Stalofos (44 minutes ago) 0 Reply
I hope this raises awareness for women who don't know when to shut the hell up.
raimurder (48 minutes ago) 0 Reply
shh there there, KA-POW haha
richizzzle (1 hour ago) 0 Reply
he didn't even knock out a tooth
he is more like 40% gangsta
muneliteknight (2 hours ago) 0 Reply
If she would just, SHE THE HELL UP, after the 1st time i smacked - i wouldnt have to keep hitting her!!!
*While she's lying on the ground*
YOU SEE WHAT YOU MAKE ME DO!!!! YOU THINK I LIKE DOING THAT!!!
Now, clean yourself off and lets go get some ice cream..
the comments on youtube speak for themselves.
"Shoot 'em up. Bomb 'em up. Eat 'em up. Beat 'em up."
This should have never been released online or on the market for anything more than presentations to small, targeted control-groups. If that.
Desensitization works both ways.
However, sexual assault, domestic violence, battering are not games, and I fail to see how, even in a very advanced society, this is not encouraging abuse.
It's like "Grand Theft Auto" being a tool to educate new drivers.
What about "Beat the Gay!"? Would that teach tolerance?
I look forward to more info re: translation. Thanks so much for posting this.
I also think Julie's comment is interesting and I'll be interested to see how the campaign develops.
I have rarely felt this angry about OS content. I simply can't get over the misguided nature of this game, and I'm outraged. This should have been an editor's pick.
I, too, was surprised that this didn't get an EP and FP at first. It combines a lot of the elements that the editors seem to like, plus it's just really an interesting piece which can stimulate a lot of good conversation. So, congrats!
I'm curious to see if there is any chance that its effect can be measured. In this case, I would love to be proven wrong, very wrong, but I can't see how this can help.
Even though you left me with an unpleasant knot in my stomach, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Like I said, in a different context--like Denmark, a country where women make up close to %40 of Parliament--this could be a provocative campaign. If you know it's going to be extensively discussed in schools and in the media, it's a way to get kids discussing the influence of video games in their attitudes towards violence.
As for the neuroscience argument. I'm not going to say that video games don't influence the brain. But I think Americans put far too much emphasis on media, and almost none on public policy. So Americans judging Danes on attitudes towards women, or public awareness of violence, just seems a little weird to me.
It would be interesting to compare rates of domestic violence in the two countries and see how one with universal daycare, high participation in politics and practically no unemployment compares to the country which believes very, very strongly in the effectiveness of prime time media censorship (while it continues to produce the games that are clearly the object of irony in this campaign.)
a sociology blog called contexts.org
AsgerJon 8:38 pm on November 21, 2009 | # | Reply
It’s really strange that people will form such poor opinions of something whilst
admitting to not understand the very words. So here’s a complete translation of all
of the dialogue in the game:
The girls walks into the screen, where she announces that she has had “the best
night”. Then a pause.
“Of course I have danced with someone!” Another pause.
“You have no right to determine with whom I can and can’t dance”
Then a male voice which has this, uhm, sort of “gangster” dialect, the origins of which I can’t make out, and it says: “Oops, it would appear as if you have no control over your bitch, a few slaps ought to help”
Then the game begins, and you choose the control either by your mouse or webcam.
Before and during the first slaps, the girl says the following sentences in a
seemingly random pattern:
“Why would I have slept with your best friend, he’s just as ugly as you!”
“Only your IQ is smaller than your penis”
“If I desire to go out with Maria, then that’s what I will do, it’s my life”
This next one is not easily translateable, so I’ll just paraphrase: You suck so much
that it’s difficult to believe.
Again, impossible to translate, but a word play between being drunk and having an
erection.
“What part of ‘Fuck off’ don’t you understand.
As the “pussy-gansgster” parameter reaches about 40 %, the girl says new statements:
“Perhaps you have been beaten up as a child, but don’t take it out on me.”
“You are weak, get that in to your head!”
“You have always appeared as a loser, but now your behavior has removed all doubt.”
“Is that really the hardest you can hit?”
“The only instance in which you feel manly, is when you have sex with me, whilst I’m
screaming ‘NO!’”
“You call me an ugly cunt in front of your friends, but what does that make you? The
one who can get only ugly
cunts?”
“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!!?”
When the aforementioned parameter reaches around 70 %, we again hear new messages:
“Is that all you’ve got?”
(”crybaby” may not be an accurate translation, but it was all I could find in the
dictionary)
“You weak little crybaby, you really think that you are the only capable of hitting,
do you really?”
“You ridiculous little man, fuck you!”
“Are you stupid or something? A ‘NO!’ is a ‘NO!’”
“Do you feel strong now?”
“You say to me that if I really love you, I will do what? NO! If YOU really love ME,
you will not make me do things, I don’t want to do.”
When the parameter approaches 100 %, the girl will say all of the above mentioned
things, but obviously in a different recording, as the actress is more injured at
this point.
Once the parameter reaches 100 %, the girl falls, and the male voice comes back and
says: “You are an idiot. It’s not ‘ganster’ to hit women, you made yourself a pussy
and an idiot the very moment you raised your hand the first time. There exists no
excuses for using violence, none! So seek help before it’s too late.”After this a
female voice (perhaps the voice of the actress?) says: “[In Denmark]… there is in
every class from 9th to 12th grade 2 girls who are in a violent relationship. If you
are one of the men who use violence, or a girl exposed to violence, then seek help.”
A pause followed by a call for the viewer to share the game on facebook, twitter,
and etc. the spread the message.
One has to realize that the objective of this game is first and foremost to get people, especially young men between 15 and 19 to talk about the taboo topic of domestic violence. This campaign has already achieved this, and it has done so by daring to be different than existing campaigns.
Campaigns seeking to alter behavior or draw attention to a specific point in public service is very often ridiculed, as young men in Denmark are being fed with such throughout their youth, seemingly with little to none effect.
But why does this problem even exist, why is it that there are women and girls out
there, who are getting abused, not by muggers or other criminal strangers, but by
men with whom they are in a relationship, when the objective of relationships is to
be in love? I think it has to do with jalousy, and jalousy is a very strange
emotion, different and stronger in many ways than other emotions. Firstly jalousy is
onset by an outside source, secondly jalousy is a very strong emotion that can very
easily and very quickly turn into uncontrollable anger, and thirdly then jalousy is,
like many other emotions, beyond our free will; One simply can’t choose to not feel
jalous, if that’s what one feels. Violence against women then occurs when jalousy
turns into anger, but it doesn’t have to. All of us, I think, will at some point in
our lives feel jalous, and luckily we can use our free will to choose, what we want
to do with the jalousy, so if you find yourself feeling jalous, here’s what you
should do (this is directed towards men):
1. Try to shrug it off.
In most cases your girl friend was just having a little fun.
2. Okay guys, I know this sounds girly and everything, but it is just how it is!
Talk about it. Tell your girlfriend that her behavior has made you jalous, then the
ball is in her court. If then her responce is to start shouting “you have no right
to feel jalous”, you should attempt to explain to her, how you have no free will
over what you feel in this regard, and if she can’t understand this, and stays
angry, then shrug it off, or find a new girl friend. Fortunately many girl friends
will see the affection in you, which causes you to feel jalous, even if she doesn’t
see it at first. Think about it, you are feeling jalous because she means something
to you, and girls are great at spotting that type of thing.
3. If you are not mentally capable of shrugging it off, and you can’t talk about it
with her, and you suddenly find yourself having hit her, then it’s time to seek
fucking help!
Remember, our free will is what makes us human, and it is what enables us to make
choices, but it’s not an absolute ability by no means! You are simply not capable of
choosing to feel happy, you have to earn and pursuit happiness. Likewise you cannot
choose not to feel jalous, when you feel it! So I suggest you learn to accept this,
and then to you ladies, remember that most of what men do, they are doing for you at
some point, so cut us some slag, if we act like jerks every now and then, but do no
allow men to stay abusive. If he has hit you once, then the only thing that can keep
him from doing it again is some sort of professional help. Get out of abusive
relationships, and if you see friends or relatives, who are being abused in a
relationship, it is okay to point it out.
I'm not sure how well that ad would work in a country where there's not much of a commitment to help for victims or perpetrators of abuse to begin with. But I think it's an interesting campaign for Denmark.
Would this be okay if it was a pedophile raping a child?
Would it be okay to portray a child being beaten or raped as fodder to get people talking? Because if it's not okay to beat or rape a child to stimulate conversation, then it's not okay to beat a woman for the same reason.
I've grappled with the video/violence questions for years. My two boys (13 & 10) love to play video games with guns. At first I resisted but then allowed them to play, on the condition that if I saw any change in their behavior (if they started pushing their little sister more, for example) they would be banned from playing. They are both kind, gentle kids who seem to just enjoy shooting Nazis during WWII (Call of Duty game).
The difference as I see it, is that my children will unlikely (unless they enlist) have any opportunities to use a machine gun from the top of a tank. Nor, if I do my job as a mom, will they regularly face a violent car thief on a horrible, deserted road in the bad part of town (Grand Theft Auto, which they don't have.)
But coming face to face with a woman is a normal, daily thing that they will do for the rest of their lives, whether it be their mom, sister, friend, girlfriend, or wife. This type of game can ingrain the act of hitting into their consciousness so that it triggered by a feeling of anger.
I can't imagine how anyone could think this game would prevent violence.
True, I can't imagine a situation where it's okay to use images of brutalizing children. But in some societies women aren't as easily equated with children. And from what I've read of this association, it's clear that many women were involved in the production of this campaign. I also can't imagine a productive exercise that tries to get pedophiles, or child rapists talking. But teenagers? I do think in a progressive, stable, well organized society where women and men have entrenched rights to resources there could be some good that comes of this.
I think it's unfortunate that this video has gone viral in the U.S. and is being presented and reacted to in such a facile way. But I don't blame that on this association.
Thanks, Lainey, for whatever divine intervention you created. I must admit I was disappointed this didn't get better play when I posted it last week because this is an important issue. That it gets great play today is good; that it's getting such a high level of discussion is exactly what I had hoped for.
I can only form an opinion on this campaign based on my own life and experience as an American.
Yes, there are huge differences between the U.S. and Denmark in lots of different ways, but response to domestic violence isn't one of them.
From what I've read about Denmark's coordinated campaign, which began in the early 2000s, it's strikingly similar to what's practiced here in Michigan. In fact, Denmark's program sounds strikingly similar to the renowned coordinated program in San Diego, which did a lot of outreach and training across the country in the early ’90s.
Michigan has mandatory reporting laws for anyone who suspects abuse, from teachers for child abuse to doctors and nurses. It's not something we take lightly. There are also mandatory arrest laws. Coordinated services are provided for victims and batterers. All of our various communities -- legal, health, legislative, faith, education, human services -- are involved in our domestic violence programs.
One huge difference between the U.S. and Denmark, above and beyond culture, is the level of government funding available for social service programs. The federal tax rate in the U.S. is about 28 percent; in Denmark, it's 65 percent.
Even though they live with one of the highest tax rates in the world (if not the highest), the Danes rate as the happiest people in the world. That such a public service campaign is deemed necessary in a country so very progressive as well as empowering of women speaks volumes about the insidious nature of the problem. One constant of domestic violence is that it cuts across all social, economic, religious and cultural lines. It's domestic violence whether it occurs in the U.S., in Denmark or in Canada. It's a problem everywhere.
Please don't let anyone -- or any public service announcement -- tell you that battering is the result of jealousy. It's all about power and control. Plain and simple.
Maybe this campaign plays well in Denmark, though I don't know whether it's well-received or not; Juliet is right on the mark that it wouldn't do well in North America. But is that a bad thing? I still don't get the concept of committing virtual violence to educate people against real-life battering. Someone somewhere online is humorously suggesting that perhaps a "bag the fag" campaign is in order, too.
The ranting boomer raises an interesting point: how would we feel about a game in which we get to virtually abuse a child? The hue and cry from around the world would be deafening. That we're discussing whether the virtual beating of a woman is of any preventative or educational value speaks volumes.
And I find nothing unfortunate about this video going viral anywhere -- that's the whole point of the Internet, isn't it? I find nothing wrong with an open and frank discussion of domestic violence.
In that regard, maybe this video is right on the mark.
But just a couple of points. The thoughts about jealousy were made by the commentor who did the translation. I doubt that's what the psychologists involved in this campaign believe.
And sorry, I don't think brutalizing or representing children is the same. The campaign isn't directed towards children. No one in their right mind would expect children to pick up the phone. But this campaign is directed towards young women who too often think that they provoked the violence with their behaviour. And young men who believe that provocation is a license to brutality.
For christsake, we live in a culture that routinely makes Law & Order: Special Victims Unit the mostly highly rated show on television. And we're going to turn around and judge another country for a short video in a language we don't even understand?
I still think it's unfortunate it went viral, because from what I've seen this video is not generating much over here but self-righteousness and trollishness. I don't see it leading anywhere. And that just depresses me.
Additionally, I learned over the years that when we want to teach appropriate social behavior, we do not allow students to participate in role playing negative or destructive behaviors. This actually serves to reinforce and strengthen the inappropriate behavior. Better to show the inappropriate behavior once, and then model and role play the inappropriate behavior.
In terms of this ad, I would suggest that showing the victim being hit once, and then role playing solutions would be far more beneficial and educational than in repeated acts of violence. Cultural differences aside, I do not think the perpetrators of this ad really understand how learning occurs.
Just my three cents worth. A thoughtful post and enjoyable comments all around. Thanks.
It strains credulity to believe that this could be an anti-violence campaign, regardless the culture; regardless the language.
...and not to get too psychological here, but it seems to me that only certain "types" of guys will be put off by the anti-violence program approach. I mean, let's face it - a lot of guys just don't learn by listening to someone blah, blah, blahing - they just tune it out. But, for those guys who learn by "do - ing" I think this approach at least, causes them to THINK about their actions (again, albeit perhaps on a subconscious level).
In movies when a guy slaps a woman around (or an adult harms a child), the point almost always is that he's a bully and a jerk and his behavior is bad, cowardly and shameful.
But strangely enough, in the movies (and songs) when women slap men or commit violence against them it is more often portrayed as righteous - he deserved it because of something he said or did.
Granted violence by men against women is a huge problem and violence by women against men is not (or at least it's unclear what level of this exists), but still - it's a strange double-standard ....
Again, Boomer. Why do Americans feel so entitled to take everything out of context and frame it in absolutes?
That's far too much of a generalization. I can't assume that 'all' Americans feel entitled to take everything out of context any more than I believe "all women" or "all men" do things the same. I'm quite sure that there must be some Americans that don't feel entitled to take things out of context.
In another comment, you said;
The campaign isn't directed towards children. No one in their right mind would expect children to pick up the phone. But this campaign is directed towards young women who too often think that they provoked the violence with their behaviour.
This campaign doesn't appear to be directed towards young women at all. It awards "pussy" and "gangsta" points for hitting the woman. That makes me think it's directed towards setting young men. Personally, I don't see how setting up young men and then calling them an idiot at the end would get abused women to pick up the phone.
The only thing I *do* know is that basic psychology teaches that the human mind does not comprehend a negative. If we yell DON'T SLAM THE DOOR - the visualization in the mind is that of a door slamming. Parent do *that* one all the time, when saying "close the door quietly" would be a more effective teaching method.
I don't know if psychology transcends language and country, but if it doesn't - then the campaign is going to have the opposite effect of what they're hoping to achieve. I'm wondering if they consulted with any persons in psychiatry before launching this experiment.
==
For Maria.... you're right. If the game was hitting a child, the cry would be deafening. Makes me sad that beating a person of ANY age shouldn't or wouldn't be the same.
It certainly facilitates discussion, but will it have an impact?
The target audience is supposed to be male teens between 14-18. I’m no child psychologist but that seems a little late to be teaching respect for women (or anyone else).
I did some quick research and note:
(1) As of 2004 that there was no law on the books specifically targeting domestic violence and violence for women in general;
(2) the incidence of domestic violence against immigrant women of concern because the Aliens Act required that a foreign born spouse of a Danish citizen be a resident of Denmark for 7 years before being granted permanent residency--the report concluded that created a situation where women were afraid to report abuse for fear of deportation.
(3) Gangster/Gangsta is associated in the press with muslim youth in Denmark.
(4) There is a racially fueled gang war between muslim gangs and the Hells Angels.
(5) The arm in the video is brown and hairy.
(6) The government's anti violence campaign (not related to the video) specifically singles out arranged marriage as a source of violence.
(7) Public opinion is that muslim immigration is ruining Denmark and that the psychology of muslim males is the root of the increase in violent crime, including rape.
(8) There is no discussion I could find correlating the increased crime rate among immigrants to a unemployment rate over 50%.
(9) I have seen no increase in reported rape rates—Denmark’s rate rape is not low, being several times that of Japan (similar sized population).
(10) Despite the reported drop in the rate of violence against women, and the stable rate of reported rapes, I’ve seen several mention rape by muslim youth or Danish women.
(11) The incarceration rate among muslims is several times higher than among white Danes.
This leaves me to believe that there is a racial subtext to the PSA and that the concern over rape is founded not on a real concern for women per se but a fear of male muslim violence and sexuality.
The US has its problems and continues to have them, but being a US citizen I am all too aware of how a country can find ways to justify the across the board vilification of minority youth, and particularly the sexuality of black males, can cause damage.
The uncritical defense of this PSA that I have seen on the web by Danish citizens, on the grounds that Denmark is enlightened and that US feminists (who are the source of much of the critique and dissemination I have seen) have it all wrong is unfortunate. I only hope that within Denmark there is an honest discussion about race is being conduced with respect to this self-professed, in your face, facilitator of an “honest” discussions about domestic violence.
I don’t purport to know what is going on in Denmark. All I can say is that what I read on the web struck me as all too familiar.
Take it from an unenlightened citizen of the US, don’t go down this path.
-e
Who knows, they might just be playing so they can write an article about it.
I know a lot of kids my age would only make fun of this; to me, it just isn't funny at all.
After this a female voice (perhaps the voice of the actress?) says: “[In Denmark]… there is in every class from 9th to 12th grade 2 girls who are in a violent relationship. If you are one of the men who use violence, or a girl exposed to violence, then seek help.”
This is a public awareness campaign not a therapeutic tool. What are you suggesting? that a public awareness campaign about domestic violence flood the media with pictures of happy relationships?
And are you against all representations of violence, in movies, literature any context at all, no matter what the very clear anti-violence message that frames it is?
I get why people find this disturbing, especially without the translation. What I don't get is how rigidly people want to hold to their initial impression and how unwilling they are to open their minds to the possibility that there might be a gray area.
If we could solve the problem of domestic violence with basic psychology, wouldn't it be solved by now?
If that's the only way the creators of the video can figure out to get across the message that violence is bad, and that there is help for both batterers and victims, then heaven help us all.
The NGO that created this has a history of campaigns with a two pronged message to teens who are in abusive relationships: 1. Get help 2. Get out of the relationship. That message is clear whether the person is being hit, or being verbally abused. A strong person walks away from abuse. They don't perpetrate it.
That's how I read it. And I maintain that the history of film and literature are filled with effective anti-violence messages that use disturbing imagery. This is jarring because it's in a different genre than we're used to. But I think its intentions are clear from beginning to end. And I think it would be clear to most teens.
And, maybe I'm naive, but I don't think most men being taunted like that would get much of a thrill out of playing this game.
This is one of those junctures where the twain just won't meet.
But there is good that came from all this. I will say that the discussion generated by "Hit the Bitch" around the globe has done much to bring the problem of domestic violence out from behind closed doors and into the spotlight. On that point, I would give the video a solid A.
However, once I read the translation- suddenly I felt much less sympathetic to the beaten woman. Maybe because I am a father. If my kid talks back to me while I am hitting him- guess what- the hits will keep coming. There should be a PSA telling women to stop talking back when somebody is hitting them- all that does is escalate the situation from bad to worse. Run away and call the police. It's not worth getting hurt or killed just because you had to sneak in a smart ass last word.
Likewise the advice for the young men to 'shrug it off' or 'talk about your feelings' is entirely ludicrous. The couple is obviously in the middle of a pissing match. Who is going to back down from a pissing match? What the young man should be taught is to channel his anger into verbal insults instead of resorting to violence. Now there's a good idea for the next PSA game: "Diss the Bitch"
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/danish-video-stirs-outrage/
Stupid is stupid, no matter what the culture and 4 minutes of slapping a woman is not going to promote non-violence any more than warnings on a cigarette package encourage you not to smoke.