Collective Shout calls for uniform laws to stop Wicked Campers promotion of rape and murder
Grassroots campaigning movement Collective Shout has called for legislation to deregister Wicked Campers vehicles featuring misogynist and racist slogans and imagery.
Tasmania, ACT and Queensland have passed laws to deregister Wicked Campers if they do not abide by Ad Standards rulings. Collective Shout has launched a petition as part of the campaign #drivewickedofftheroad, calling on Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia to do the same. Ministers responsible for transport and roads Luke Donnellan (VIC), Melinda Pavey (NSW), Stephan Knoll (SA) and Michelle Hopkins Roberts (WA) are being called on to act. Over 4000 have signed the petition so far.
To date, Wicked Campers have have fallen foul of Ad Standards over 80 times - some vans carrying slogans promoting rape and even murder of women. But the company refuses to comply with Ad Standards rulings.
Collective Shout Director Coralie Alison said this was yet another example of the failures of advertising industry self-regulation.
“The current system is a failure. Wicked Campers repeatedly and defiantly breach the code of ethics with no consequences,” Ms Alison said.
“There are no penalties for non-compliance, which means there is nothing to stop companies like Wicked Campers promoting misogyny and treating the abuse of women as a punchline. That’s why we need uniform legislation across states and territories."