The Janoskians don't deserve attention for pulling sexually violent pranks

by Miranda Nelson on June 5th, 2013 at 4:07 PM

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To anyone who is a fan of the Janoskians: why?

For those unfamiliar with the Australian quintet—which passed through Vancouver earlier this week—they are a group of dumb young men who like to pull "pranks".

In their latest video, the boys decide to go into a shopping mall in Denmark and videotape themselves pretend to jerk off—complete with grunts and moans—to the justifiable horror of strangers.

This is one of the most pathetic, childish, and down-right harmful things I've seen in a long time.

(And I've watched a lot of Rob Ford videos lately, so I know what I'm talking about.)

Let's be clear: "Public Wanking" is not funny; it's disgusting and violent.

At one point, one of these little shits thinks it's the high of hilarity to fake-masturbate over a baby.

There are no words for how wrong that is. It's so vile that I'm not even going to link to the YouTube video—which was trending on Twitter yesterday and has 115,394 views and climbing.

I get being young and dumb and wanting to get attention. Most of us were shitty rebellious assholes at one point in our lives and did stupid things.

But what this latest stunt is doing is incredibly harmful.

Here's the reality: some men masturbate in public as a form of dominance. Men who masturbate in public are often predators who get their sexual gratification from invading the personal space of another person. They get off on the shock, fright, and embarassment of their victims. They want to involve unwilling—non-consenting—people in sexual acts.

You know what you call forcing someone to engage with you sexually when they are not a willing participant? Sexual assault.

I'm not saying being an exhibitionist or a voyeur is inherently bad. But when that behaviour crosses the line into actively involving others without their consent, it's criminal.

It's terrifying enough to be a woman riding transit at night; it's even more terrifying when you are trapped in a SkyTrain car with no escape while some asshole stares at you while he pleasures himself. This is a real thing that happens all the time and it is awful.

In fact, a survey of 1000 women in Mumbai found that 80 percent of them had experienced street harassment. A 2012 survey from Poland found 85 percent of women and 44 percent of men had been harassed.

So anyone who thinks it's funny to perform an act of aggressive sex in a public place—real or not—is contributing to a seriously fucked up mindset.

And everyone who will inevitably say I just need to "lighten up" or "get a sense of humour" or wave it off with a casual "boys will be boys" is actively contributing to a culture that says it's okay to be sexually violent and to treat people like unwilling objects in their sexual games.

Would it be funny if the Janoskians went around in public holding guns to the heads of passers-by? Or pretended to rob people? Faked a rape? This is no different.

If anything, this stunt and the fans it has gained—and those who passionately defend this video as "humour"—serves to show the underlying contempt that society continues to have for women and their safety.

No one should ever encourage violent and predatory sexual conduct—especially if it's masquerading as a harmless prank.

Want to learn how to prevent sexual harassment? Check out this excellent primer, Salwa's Guide to Fighting Sexual Harassment.

Comments

38 Comments

JordieGirl

Jun 5, 2013 at 4:37pm

I had never heard of the janoskians until this morning. When I heard that this particular video involved public (simulated) masturbation, and at one point involved a baby, I wondered if they were trying to make a comment on the pervasiveness of sexual content in the media and the sexualisation of children. Having viewed their video, it seems I gave them way too much credit. These are not intelligent, boundary-pushing, thoughtful individuals; they are not even comedians. The video was incredibly unfunny, lame and boring. Except, of course, for the fact that, what they are doing, in many cases constitutes sexual harrassment. The fact these boys (however stupid and immature they may be) think it is acceptable to approach someone in public and essentially force them to take part in a sex act (because of course the point was that the people involved thought the masturbation was real) speaks volumes about the culture of male dominance that pervades our society. It's exactly this sort of shit that contributes to the belief that it is acceptable to harass and assault women (and men) in public or private, without fear of consequences, simply because its a 'joke'.

bobo

Jun 5, 2013 at 5:48pm

Never heard of these idiots until I read this. Miranda, if they "don't deserve attention", then why in the name of God did you give them any?????

Miranda Nelson

Jun 5, 2013 at 5:52pm

You know, that's a valid point. I debated it with myself for a long time actually. Do I write about these kids, which would be giving them more press? Or do I ignore it?

Ultimately I decided to write about it because what they are promoting is seriously harmful and I think it would be worse to ignore it.

Perhaps I should have written "shouldn't be rewarded" instead of "don't deserve attention" in the headline.

Melissa

Jun 5, 2013 at 6:14pm

The Janoskians have admitted they may have taken it to far. And they said sorry if it has made anybody upset. Get over yourself. I love these boys they make me smile every day (: just because of one mistake is maken doesnt mean you should have a bad impression on them.

Embarrassed Australian

Jun 5, 2013 at 7:45pm

@Melissa. These pathetic little boys are not sorry at all. They're just another example of extreme narcissism incarnate in this sad, sad world of being famous and/ or rich at any cost. Particularly to others! Saying that they've learned a lesson is pathetic to the extreme and shows their absolute contempt for all of us. It's the catch cry of those who have been caught out but who know what they've been doing all along is reprehensible. Hopefully, the people filmed in Denmark will lay charges against them now that they know who these imbeciles actually are.

Slugger

Jun 5, 2013 at 9:42pm

I know what I'd do if they did it near me. I'd teach the immature little pricks a lesson in respect that they would never forget.

Melissa

Jun 5, 2013 at 11:32pm

Im not saying that what they did was right, some things i dont agree on what goes on those videos they release but some of you are different generations to what most of the Janoskians audience is. They blantly said sorry on twitter. This video is only getting noticed know because of some famous comedian. And by the way they have sold out most of there overseas concerts so i think they are doing something right. You guys dont know them there just young boys from Melbourne.