Maroon 5 video glamorizes sexual violence

Media release, for immediate release, 6 October 2014

Maroon 5 video glamorizes sexual violence

Sexual Abuse Prevention Network says the Maroon 5 video “Animals” released this month is disturbing and promotes messages that contribute to the high incidence of sexual violence.

The video shows a man covered in blood punching and hacking at hanging animal carcasses and stalking a woman interspersed with the two of them naked together with blood pouring over them. The lyrics include the lines: “Baby I’m preying on you tonight. Hunt you down and eat you alive”.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Network Coordinator, Fiona McNamara says “The video shows women as passive objects to be preyed upon by men – it promotes the idea that men are entitled to women’s bodies and encourages them to pursue women until they get them.”

“This video is an example of rape culture – it glamorizes and trivializes stalking, sexual violence and the objectification of women’s bodies.”

“The music industry needs to take responsibility for the work it produces – it should be the first to understand how lyrics, images and celebrities themselves can impact its consumers. Music is a powerful medium that affects people emotionally. Music that promotes traumatic events can be seriously harmful to people who hear the lyrics or watch the videos.”

Anyone upset by the content in this video can call Wellington Rape Crisis 04 801 8973 or Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation on 04 499 7532.

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