Nova Scotia's New Sexual Violence Awareness Campaign Inspired by The Simpsons, BoJack Horseman

Nova Scotia government comfortable with 'satirical strong language' in order to get message across

By Cassie Williams, CBC News

In the first part of the video, an anthropomorphized owl is seen taking a drunk bee upstairs. Luckily the owl's puffin friend interjects and sets his friend straight on consent. (birdsandthebees.ca)

The province's new sexual violence awareness campaign is drawing on popular adult-themed animated shows like The Simpsons and Netflix's BoJack Horseman to talk to teens about the difficult topic. 

The campaign kicked off Tuesday with a 60-second video and related website of animated birds and bees at a house party in what the province is calling "a modern twist on the popular metaphor."

In the first part of the video, an anthropomorphized owl is seen taking a drunk bee upstairs. Luckily the owl's puffin friend interjects.

"Dude, she's been on the nectar all night," the puffin says, adding the female bee is in no shape to consent to sex. 

"Doesn't count when you're wrecked. Hammered equals date rape." 

  video 1:00

The campaign contains some minor swearing and Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard hopes the unusually-edgy-for-government take will get through to teens.

"This is something that we're very proud of," said Bernard.

"Talking about sexual violence is difficult, it's uncomfortable. This group, this demographic in Nova Scotia, has told us quite clearly: 'We're ready to talk about it. We want to change the culture, we want to change the conversation and we want to break the silence."

'Satirical strong language' 

The campaign launched to Grade 10 to 12 students at Millwood High in Middle Sackville on Tuesday.
"There's satirical strong language. When you're talking to people in Grade 7 to Grade 12, you have to resonate with them," said Bernard.

"We're quite comfortable with the language and the message that it's giving."

The videos are available on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. They'll also be shown in cinemas across the province. 

The province says this campaign is part of 2015's $6-million sexual violence strategy, the purpose of which is to better support the victims of sexual violence and to educate youth.

Since the sexual violence strategy began, the province has spent $1.25 million on community grants, provided 211 and 811 phone operators with special training, and struck an interdepartmental committee aimed at streamlining government policies related to sexual violence. 

The second round of the innovation grants will be launched in the next few months. There will be another video, similar to this one, coming near Christmas.

"Stay tuned," said Bernard.

sex violence strategy 

The campaign launched to Grade 10 to 12 students at Millwood High in Middle Sackville on Tuesday. (birdsandthebees.ca)

Rehtaeh Parsons case brings topic to forefront

The strategy came after the highly publicized case of Rehtaeh Parsons.

Parsons's family say she was sexually assaulted in November 2011 and bullied for months after a digital photo of the alleged assault was passed around her school.

Sexually assaulted as in gang-raped. She was leaning out a window throwing up when she was 'sexually assaulted'. I'm still trying to figure out how a girl barfing out a window can consent to have sex?

Police said they looked into the allegations of sexual assault, but concluded there weren't enough grounds to lay charges after consulting with the prosecution service.

The police never ever questioned the two boys accused of raping her on the accusation. 

Parsons died after attempting suicide in 2013 and child pornography charges were laid after her death.

Strange wording there - Rehtaeh died after committing suicide in 2013, She attempted suicide several times in the two years previous. Yet neither the police nor crown counsel did anything about her case or the bullying, or the dissemination of the photo of her rape until after she was dead and after the Prime Minister (Harper) stepped in to demand something be done.

A 20-year-old man pleaded guilty in 2014 to distributing a sexually graphic image of Parsons, who was 15 years old at the time of the offence.

Another 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to making child pornography by taking a photo of the first accused having sex with Parsons.

Those were the only charges to come out of the gang-rape and bullying death of a young girl. Neither of the two 'men' ever saw the inside of a jail cell. It was an astonishing travesty of justice, but, at least something good may finally come from it.