Nightclub with illuminated sign calling women ‘slags’ accused of promoting rape culture

‘That awkward moment when Halloween is over but you’re still a slag,’ says illuminated sign in capital letters

The nightclub has been condemned by rape charities, politicians and the police who have accused it of 'promoting misogyny' after images of the sign surfaced on social media (Worcestershire Mums Network/SWNS)

A bar in Worcester has been fiercely criticised for installing a sign which branded women “slags”.

The illuminated sign in Alexander’s Bar reads in capital letters: “That awkward moment when Halloween is over but you’re still a slag.”

The nightclub has been condemned by rape charities, politicians and the police who have accused it of “promoting misogyny” after images of the sign surfaced on social media.

Worcestershire Mums Network shared the image and tweeted: “Alexander’s promoting misogyny, victim-blaming, rape culture in their bar.

“This is not OK - anyone should be free to dress, wear, and be whoever they want freely without being labelled for it.”

Siani Driver, who founded the parenting network, said she had heard the message had been on show at the popular city centre venue since 1 November.

She explained a group member had spotted it and drawn her attention to it after visiting on 23 November.

Ms Driver added: “It is simply not OK. I could imagine people going in and laughing about it, but it is objectifying women and how they dress. We want to be able to go out and feel safe, and not see this kind of thing.”

John-Paul Campion, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said he was “disappointed” to see the wording put on display at the nightclub.

“It is completely unacceptable to degrade someone for what they choose to wear,” he said. “I hope the nightclub will work with the police and other groups, such as victims charities, to learn from this and understand how a message like this can be portrayed.”

West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) hit out at the sign on Twitter.

The organisation said: “This is just wrong. WMRSASC would support a code of conduct to prevent offensive messages like this.”

(Worcester News / SWNS (Worcester News / SWNS)

The Women’s Equality Party called it “toxic” adding: “Oh my - they must really think it’s funny.”

Worcester City councillor Louise Griffiths said: “I’ve reported this to Worcestershire Regulatory Services, to see if we can ask them to take it down, and it’ll be brought up at our chairman’s briefing with regulatory services and officers this week.”

Richard Udall, another councillor for the city, added: “I don’t believe it would be in breach of their licence, but that does not make it right.

“Although I cannot force them to do so, I do now expect the management to take note of these concerns and remove this misogynistic sign.”

Alexander’s has been approached for comment.

Additional reporting by SWNS