The biggest mall operator in the Philippines has pulled a t-shirt that said rape was a "snuggle with a struggle" after outraged customers complained on social media.
The t-shirt was spotted by writer Karen Kunawicz on sale in the teen boys' section of a SM Supermall. On Monday, she photographed the t-shirt design and shared it on her Facebook page:
The photo of the shocking t-shirt design was quickly shared thousands of times by furious Filipinos who accused SM Supermalls of propagating rape culture:
Having serious WTF moments today what with Bench and SM promoting #rapeculture. No means no. Rape is always rape. #stupid #stupid #dangerous
Disturbing rape t-shirt at the largest mall in the Philippines. Sadly rape is not taken seriously by many Filipinos. http://t.co/r01wfMnRVh
"Snuggle with a struggle" doesn't make rape CUTE. WTF is wrong with SM???
Snuggle with a struggle? Really? SM wants boys to walk around wearing a shirt defining "rape" in the most distorted way? Ew.
Way to wear your ignorance on your sleeves. RT @ariaclemente: "It's not rape, it's a snuggle with a struggle." shirt? Watch it, SM.
After spotting the online reaction the next day, SM Supermalls posted an apology to customers on its Facebook page.
SM Supermalls – who own 46 malls across the Phillippines and have expanded its operation to China – claim the shirts are being pulled from its stores.
BuzzFeed News have contacted SM Supermalls for a comment.