Angry feminists in Scotland fed up with rape jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe and Free Fringe decided to take direct action against comedians who think that making jokes about rape, gang rape, sexual abuse, sexual torture and prostitution is funny. Feminist Avengers have sent comedians who have been telling misogynistic jokes about rape a courgette, together with a note saying: “Did you ever hear about the comedian who told rape jokes? He was told to go fuck himself”.

Clara Zetkin, Feminist Avenger Spokesperson today said: “It is estimated that 1 billion women and girls on our planet have been raped –  this is not a laughing matter. Rape is never funny, it is a horrific crime of violence and violation. However we have a culture in the Edinburgh Fringe and Free Fringe; a rape culture where jokes about rape are the norm. Rape jokes are an everyday occurrence at the Edinburgh Fringe and Free Fringe. Rape jokes are told every day on Twitter and Facebook. As a group of radical feminists we have a great sense of humour; but making comedy out of violence against women makes us angry. We decided that we would take action and send the comedians a courgette with a short note suggesting they “go fuck themselves”.

Olympe de Gouge, the Director of Situationist Internationale (Scottish Chapter) stated “the spectacle of laughing at the rape of women creates a language and a culture that means the violation and abuse of women becomes normal. Women are seen to be used and abused and to be humiliated and mocked. To be bought and sold. We fully support the Feminist Avengers in their action in saying “fuck you rape apologist” and “fuck you everyone who laughs”.

Helen Crawford, Legal Advisor to Feminist Avengers explained “The United Nations recognises that violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe.  It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts.  It is predominantly inflicted by men. It is a major barrier against women’s equality and liberation. The right of women and girls to live free of violence is inalienable and fundamental.  Women are not commodities to be bought and sold. It is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law.  There is a pandemic of violence and rape against women and girls; we only ask that women are not violated and humiliated. Laughing at rape means laughing at the inhumane and degrading treatment and torture of women, which is a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is a breach of women’s human rights to laugh at rape.”

“The direct actions of the Feminist Avengers are based on their anger and their struggle for women’s equality. The invitation “to fuck yourself” is indeed only an invitation but also a invitation to be more responsible in deciding to make rape jokes.”

Courgettes were delivered to the following comedians

Jim Jefferies, Chris Turner, Chris Dangerfield, Paul Revill and Jimmy Carr. 

 Courgette and letter sent to comedians making rape jokes.

Further information can be found here – source Guardian articlehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/17/heard-one-about-rape-funny-now

Twitter account: https://twitter.com/FemAvenger