South Africa has the world’s worst rape statistics. Rape culture has become so normalized that most South Africans feel a sense of helplessness. But many perpetuate the problem without even realizing it. A culture of victim blaming thrives here. It’s one of the main reasons why an estimated 1 in 4 rapes is reported, and why perpetrators feel so safe.

 In Women’s Month, Hype Magazine wanted to make a statement about how morally & logically absurd it is to accuse someone of their own rape. In this, the launch film for their #BlameNoMore campaign, a woman at a house party rapes herself. It is raw, visceral & hard to watch. It was important to convey the brutal reality of sexual violence, to make the point that it is something nobody wishes upon themselves. Without the most delicate of directorial touches, there was a very real risk of this film coming across as insensitive and offensive.

 The film launched on International Women’s Day in Hype’s special Women’s Month issue. Hype also used the film as a catalyst for debate in live, hosted discussions on the subject throughout the month.