February 02, 2005

Sex Abuse Victims Seek Pulling of Super Bowl Ad

UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Ford/Lincoln to not air a planned Super Bowl TV ad that they say trivializes and exploits the Catholic church sex scandal and offends females who have been molested.

Leaders of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) are urging the company to withdraw the spot, which features a priest in a Roman collar longingly rubbing his hands over a new truck, looking at a shy young girl, and posting the word “LUST” on the church marquee.

(To see the ad: http://www.superbowl-ads.com/2005/videos-2005/lincolnLT.html)

"It trivializes childhood sex crimes by trusted clergy and exploits a horrific trauma," said Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP founder and president. "We are appalled at how insensitive this ad is. It just rubs salt into an already very deep and still hurting wound for many of us."

Joining their concern are officials from a New York-based grassroots activist organization, a former prosecutor, and therapist.

“Are there no limits to what advertisers will do for commercial gain?” asks Irene Weiser, founder and executive director of StopFamilyViolence.org “To capitalize on the lifelong suffering of sexual abuse victims and the scandalous cover-up by church officials in order to sell a truck? This advertisement goes beyond insensitive it is sickening.”

Posted by kshaw at February 2, 2005 06:27 PM