Was She Asking For It? – Rewriting the Chorus of Blame

Creative idea

Secondary victimization of sexual violence survivors is still prevalent in Poland. We asked the rhetorical question “was she asking for it?” and then turned the lens on society’s excuses. Using a haunting rework of a well-known Polish wedding chant, we exposed the absurdity of victim-blaming. Visually, we employed embroidery motifs to reference the damaging 'labels' sewn onto sexual violence victims. The final call-to-action “support, don’t blame” offered moral clarity. Our campaign turned a familiar melody and aesthetic into sharp social commentary, confronting deeply rooted myths and sparking national conversation. With no paid media budget, we used culture to challenge culture.

Brand name: Centrum Praw Kobiet
Advertiser / client: Centrum Praw Kobiet
Product / service: public awareness campaign
Campaign name: Was She Asking For It?
Agency network: INDEPENDENT AGENCY
Agency: Opus B - Cracow
Web address: https://wspieramnieobwiniam.cpk.org.pl/
Art director: Grzegorz Kurczap, Art Director
Account director (agency): Magdalena Szczyrbak, Senior Account Manager
Strategic planner / strategist: Witold Libera, Strategy Director
Agency producer: Michał Kuczkowski, Head of Motion
Post production: Sebastian Ślęczka, Senior Motion Designer, Rafał Ślusarczyk, Motion Designer, Kinga Czaja, Junior Motion Designer