“Not real”, “freedom of expression”, “don’t like it, don’t play”: Responding to gamers defences of Steam rape game
UPDATE: Scroll down to see our response to Zerat Games (developer of No Mercy)
Earlier this week, we exposed 12+ gaming platform Steam hosting rape and incest-themed game No Mercy. In the game, players assume the persona of a man who rapes his female family members as revenge for his mother’s infidelity.
Following our complaint to the Australian Classifications Board, the game was taken down in Australia. Canada and the UK followed, and developer Zerat Games withdrew the game, while our petition hit over 70k signatures – all in less than a week!
In response to our campaign against the rape simulation game, we were subjected to harassment and abuse from gamers defending their access to it (and proving our point in the process). We respond to their arguments below.
Read more“F*ck your mom”: Rape + incest game available on 12+ gaming platform Steam
“The best incest game I have experienced so far”
**Update** Victory! The developer has pulled No Mercy from Steam. Read our statement here.
Warning: Graphic content
No Mercy is a newly released pornographic 3D game developed by Zerat Games and hosted on 12+ gaming platform Steam. In the game, players assume the persona of a man who rapes his female family members, including his mother and his aunt, as punishment for his mother’s infidelity.
The game is promoted as follows (warning, content may be distressing):
Read moreEtsy’s ban on porn, sex dolls + incest merch is meaningless without enforcement
*Update* Etsy refuses to remove incest-themed merchandise (read more below)
Etsy continues to host degrading, fetish and incest-themed content despite updated policy
It was 2020 when we first exposed global online marketplace Etsy selling child sex abuse dolls – and for hosting sellers customising dolls in the likeness of actual children. Our investigation was featured in news.com.au.
Early the following year, we exposed incest and abuse-themed products being sold on the platform. In response, fashion designer Anna Cordell shut her Etsy shop (alongside a number of sellers) and, backed by us, started a change.org petition calling on the platform to remove this merchandise.
Three years and almost 70,000 signatures later, we applauded Etsy for their new policy banning sex dolls, pornography and incest-themed content. The site even blocked search terms “sex doll” and “porn”.
Win! Etsy bans sex dolls + porn
Global online marketplace Etsy has announced a new policy banning pornography, sex dolls and incest-themed content.
While the new Prohibited Items Policy comes into effect from 29 July, Etsy has already blocked search terms relating to porn, sex dolls and other fetish items.
Read moreAnna Cordell's urgent message to Etsy corporate heads
Etsy silent despite petition with 37k signatures + widespread condemnation
This week Anna Cordell - head of an online petition calling on Etsy's Board of Directors to stop selling incest + child abuse themed merch - sent an email to the corporate heads. After weeks of silence and unsuccessful attempts to reach the directors via social media and phone, Anna wrote the following letter urging them to take action and to respond to the petition.
Read moreFederal ALP MP slams Etsy's child abuse themed merch
Prominent child protection experts also speak out
Anna Cordell's petition to Etsy calling on corporate leaders to stop selling incest and child abuse themed merch has drawn support from around the world. It has so far attracted over 17k signatures, and hundreds of comments condemning Etsy's lack of corporate social responsibility.
Read more