.....to think using photos of half naked women on a company van to sell workwear is wrong, wrong,wrong?

[Imnotonajourney]

I ve been getting more and more angry about this as the day has gone along and felt I must share.....
This morning on the school run with my three dcs, all under 8, I sat behind a Dassy company vehicle whilst in a traffic jam. My son pointed out that there was a 'naked girl' on the van in front. To my amazement the entire back of this large van was covered in a photographic scene. A workman fully clothed with tool bag entering a room with a woman stood at the door wearing nothing but a pair of lacy pants (bum cheeks on clear display), stockings and suspenders. Nothing more. I was struck dumb until my son pointed out that 'that you can even see a bit of her boob!' (Which you could). It was then that I tried to calmly discuss how ridiculous the whole scene was and that it was absolutely wrong. I still can' t sort of believe that any company, in the 21st Century thinks this is ok. I have looked at the company's website which prides it self on equal opportunities, ethics and so on. Yeah right! However the image we saw on the van is there along with others that look like they re straight out of an adult movie. I've emailed the company to complain. Do you think I m overeacting? Your thoughts please.......

[Tobyjugg]

Well it's certainly achieved its purpose, I suppose. I'd never heard of the company until this post.

[LaurieFairyCake]

You're not overreacting

Contact the ASA?

[FoxgloveFairy]

See, what said underdressed woman needed was some of their work clothes. Quite clever advertising really! Heh heh! Seriously, it's not appropriate. Maybe the van was decorated in the 70's or something!

[MothershipG]

No you are not over-reacting, we seem to be going backwards with this type of ad.

I tried complaining about something similar on the side of a van to the advertising standard authority but they don't have jurisdiction over how people choose to advertise on their work vehicles.

There was a piece in the Guardian today about "pin-up" girls for Coca-cola's new milk! Here So wrong in so many ways...

[Imnotonajourney]

Thanks for your messages. Toby I haven't heard of them either but then power tools are not really my thing??

[Imnotonajourney]

I thought 'casual sexism' was supposed to gave been a thing of the Seventies but we re still right there, ffs. I m looking forward the getting a response from the company bearing in mind they have so much stuff on their website about equality and ethics. Hardly....

[Imnotonajourney]

MothershipG thanks for that link. It says it all really....

[Hatespiders]

I've just Googled them and there's quite a selection of these horrid sexist photos from their advertising stuff. Absolutely YANBU, they've regressed to the sixties. And to stick them on vans - not acceptable.
Surely one can complain about inappropriate illustrations on vehicles out in public places? I've never seen one of their vans, but I find it disgusting and demeaning of women.
Our lovely neighbour is a workman with a large van. I bet if he found a woman stripped off like that he'd run for his life! (clutching his tool firmly as he fled)

[avocadotoast]

It's certainly worth contacting the ASA, they do take things seriously. I complained and got a Cash Converters ad banned (something I take immense pride in!).

[Imnotonajourney]

Well done Avocadotoast! I m going to contact ASA tomorrow. If anyone wants to email this company directly it could have the desired outcome of getting these smutty adverts off the vans at least? I did mention to Dassy that I was posting on Mumsnet.....

[pigsDOfly]

Well isn't that just the way?

There's a thread on here at the moment about a woman being asked to cover up when breast feeding in a hotel in case she offends the delicate sensibilities of the rest of the clientèle. And on the other hand you have scenes from a soft porn film on the side of vans being driven around the country available for all to see; your children included OP.

I wonder how many abusive comments this company gets on its website about the images on its vans; a lot less than the horrible comment made about a breast feeding mother by readers of several national newspapers I imagine.

We live in very strange times.

[kittykathat]

I just dont care for these things.

[MothershipG]

I had a complaint about a video game billboard ad upheld by the ASA so they are definitely worth contacting but they did say, a couple of years ago, that they have no jurisdiction over what companies choose to display on their own vehicles.

[DoraGora]

Seems to come under the Communications Act

www.cap.org.uk/~/media/Files/CAP/Help%20notes%20new/2014-09-24%20VOD%20FINAL.ashx

www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/10/Home-Office/SHP_ADJ_237331.aspx#.VIF0zsnNquJ

If you feel strongly that there has been a breach, it might be worth letting the company (and the Advertising Standards Agency) know which breach you believe has occurred. And, if you're sure enough of your ground (depending on the replies that you get) you could go further and hint strongly at a private/civil prosecution. That might persuade the company to airbrush a pair of shorts onto her, anyway!

[NotEnoughTime]

No, you are def not being unreasonable.

#EverydaySexism

[allyjay]

Just had a look at their website and God these images are depressing.

I can't help but feel that if women were not eroticized and sexualised to the degree that they are, then normal, natural things such as breastfeeding a child in public would not be such a big deal. By constantly objectifying women and their bodies, we make any flash of female flesh 'erotic' and unacceptable, even when it isn't. Yes there sure is something wrong with our society..

[lovetheautumn]

oh god i just googled imaged dassy workwear, sad, really sad lol, well done for complaining, think i shall too :)

[lovetheautumn]

if the picture you are referring to OP is the one in the bedroom with the handcuffs behind her bum, then :O i know a lot of adverts these days have women rather under dressed, (dont get me started lol) but thats shocking!!

[Floisme]

You're not over reacting at all. This kind of thing only stopped being commonplace because women made a fuss about it.

[MsPoodleLover]

Please please complain. I was a young person in the 70s and was a complainer! I will complain but I am exhausted with it!

[SistersOfPercy]

Handcuff woman has my bedroom carpet.
misses point

[AdamLambsbreath]

Totally complain. This kind of thing is moronic and sexist.

I worked for a long time in the building trade and was often infuriated by ads in trade mage. Ours regularly had pics of large-chested women in skin-tight 'cyborg' outfits using a certain brand of power tool, and sub-Eurotrash pics of young busty women next to industrial cleaning machines with innuendo-laden taglines.

There's nothing like seeing that in your own trade mag to tell you that, as a woman, you're Not One Of Us.

The more people speak out about sexist crap, the better.

[AdamLambsbreath]

Trade mags, sorry, not trade mage. I wasn't a wizard.

[YourDaughterHasaTattoo]

Just googled, my goodness! I can't believe they put that on a van! Please let us know what the ASA say and did they get back to you about your email?

[NewUserrr]

Their diversity policy..

"We take a clear stand against all forms of discrimination and regard our diversity as an asset. We are committed to create a working environment where all employees are included, treated with dignity and respect and are granted career prospects through equal opportunities."

Apparently they don't employ females then..
I find this so scummy.