A Melbourne pub has been accused of promoting rape culture after it created and advertised an event called “Eat Sleep Rave Pussy Repeat”.
As Fairfax Media reports, The Railway Hotel in Brunswick has been slammed for the controversial event, which was slated to take place this Friday, 12th August, featuring a lineup of local DJs.
Before the event was removed from Facebook on Monday, 8th August, punters accused its organisers of sexism and of promoting rape culture, with several women saying they were boycotting the venue.
“Solid job on promoting and encouraging rape culture,” one patron wrote.
“I have never felt safe in this space, so I’m not that surprised by this fucking abhorrent and boring title,” said another.
Other fans criticised the DJs listed on the “Eat Sleep Rave Pussy Repeat” lineup for not pulling out of the event, while others have said the event raises an important issue within the rave community.
“The issue of sexual assault and rape with the ‘hippy doof’ community has been a big topic this week – and this just really solidifies why it is such a problem and incredibly unsafe space,” one person wrote on the event’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile, another patron accused The Railway Hotel of breaching social media advertising standards, and referred the venue to the Advertising Standards Bureau website.
While the “Eat Sleep Rave Pussy Repeat” event has been removed from The Railway Hotel’s Facebook page and website, it’s unclear if the event has been cancelled entirely.
Fiona Jolly, Chief Executive at the Advertising Standards Bureau, told Fairfax Media that while the bureau hadn’t received any complaints about The Railway Hotel’s event, it acknowledges “the advertiser has removed the advertisement after listening to patrons’ concerns”.
This isn’t the first time an Aussie pub’s event advertisement has caused controversy, with Sydney’s Lord Gladstone Hotel pissing off so-called “patriots” with their ‘Fuck Pauline Hanson Day’ last month, and this cock-stroking Melbourne gig poster leaving some punters flustered.
The Railway Hotel made headlines earlier this year when drug taskforce detectives uncovered thousands of ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and cash at the Albert Street property during a raid in April, which led to the arrest of three men.
