Rock, paper, scissors poster sparks sex-harassment poser

Wallis Wang

A "rock, paper, scissors" poster put up by the Equal Opportunities Commission has caused heated discussion on the internet as people wondered how the popular hand game is related to sexual harassment.

According to a photo circulating online, the poster features icons showing a "rock, paper, scissors" game in session and contains the message: "This game could lead to sexual harassment."

One person said on the internet: "I assume the poster was put up at universities to remind students they could get involved in sexual harassment just by playing rock, paper, scissors during an orientation camp and telling them to focus on their studies."

Some also objected to the poster, saying the commission was "overstretching" the concept of sexual harassment.

The EOC said it came up with the poster last month to be put up at universities to prevent sexual harassment on campuses.

"The poster was designed under a theme of games, mainly because many student activities, especially orientation camps, involve games," the commission said.

According to an EOC study conducted in 2019, games are one of the most common settings for sexual harassment experienced by university students.

"The commission's decision to include the words: 'This game could lead to sexual harassment' in the poster did not mean the game amounts to sexual harassment," it said in a statement.

"Instead, we want to convey a message: even the simplest game, once sexual elements are involved, may constitute unwelcome behavior that can be offensive, insulting and intimidating to others."

The commission said that it wished to remind students to remain cautious.

The design of the poster is aimed at encouraging students to discuss the issue of sexual harassment, the EOC said.

For example, students could attend online training courses on anti-sexual harassment organized by the commission and universities, as well as learn more about the issue on EOC's online learning platform by scanning a QR code on the poster, it said.

This came after several sexual harassment incidents were reported during last year's orientation camp activities.

The EOC has expressed deep concerns over the incidents, saying "there would be zero tolerance" for such behaviors, which would harm students psychologically and physically as well as have a negative impact on their development even after graduation.