SM pulls out ‘rape’ T-shirts after online rage

MANILA, Philippines – Following a social media backlash, SM, the country’s largest chain of shopping malls, announced it has pulled out from its stores all the T-shirts splashed with a statement “it’s not rape, it’s a snuggle with a struggle.”

The T-shirt, which was spotted at the third level of The SM Store (formerly SM Department Store) of SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong, was photographed by writer and poet Karen Kunawicz, who wrote: 

In 2013, more than 5,000 rape incidents involving women and children victims were recorded by the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center.

Cause-oriented groups say women and children in the country remain vulnerable to sexual abuse due to the laws that are riddled with ambiguity. (READ: Remembering the rape of Rosario Baluyot)

Netizens blasted SM for selling the shirts. SM (via its SM Supermalls account) said on its official Twitter account Tuesday, September 23, that it is already investigating why these items got into their inventory. 

Statement on t-shirt incident. pic.twitter.com/DqFC2ksFTN

— SM Supermalls (@smsupermalls) September 22, 2014

At 10:53 am on Tuesday, SM (via its SM Youth account) posted a follow-up statement that said they have already pulled out the shirts.

pic.twitter.com/0MRnmjgbNS

— SM Youth (@SM_Youth) September 23, 2014

SM malls is run by SM Investments, the holding company of SM Group, and carries various brands from accessories to toys and other products. 

At the end of the first half, SM retail opened 8 new stores, bringing the total to 249 stores, consisting of 49 SM Stores, 40 SM Supermarkets, 41 SM Hypermarkets, 97 Savemore stores, and 22 WalterMart stores. – Rappler.com