[Deepfake Sex Crime OUT Statement] “You Can’t Put Us Down”

[Deepfake Sex Crime OUT Statement] 

Speech rally “Flames of Rage” by Deepfake Sex Crime OUT Joint Action 

The shock of real-life sex crimes in our everyday lives is shaking the country as the full extent of the spread of deep-fake pornography is coming to light. Deep-fake sex crimes have been exposed everywhere in women's lives: in universities, middle and high schools, the military, clubs, and families.

Deepfake sex crimes are a matter of 'toxic male culture'!

Korean society has a long history of treating the sexual humiliation of women as lighthearted fun or amusement and using it as a means of intimidation. There was a culture of creating and sharing slang words and images that were sexually humiliating to women in macho online  communities more than a decade ago. This culture has allowed deep-fake sexual offences to grow into a "game" that is nothing new. 

Four years ago, when deep-fakes first emerged as a social issue, one assembly member dismissed deep-fake sex crimes as art or simple pranks. This social acceptance of "toxic male culture" has led to where we are today. 

What is worse, the perpetrators were able to send the deepfake photos directly to the victims and blackmail them. These crimes are possible because society has convinced women that they, not the perpetrators, are to blame and that this is something women should feel ashamed of. 

Deepfake sex crimes are an issue of social trust crumbling!

The mere thought that a classmate in the same classroom, a friend in the same course, a member of a group chat room, a co-worker or a student might have tried to "humiliate" them leaves women unable to trust anyone. It undermines basic trust in society.

So, deepfake sex crimes are not just a problem for women. It's a problem for the family and colleagues of victims. It's also a gross violation of human rights and an anti-social crime that undermines trust in a society.

The government is also an accomplice in deepfake sex crimes!

From SoraNet to the Nth Room case, every time digital sex crimes have occurred, the government has made excuses and turned a blind eye to the safety of its citizens. After public outrage, they have claimed to take measures, but they have only tinkered around the edges. The government has given the perpetrators a free pass to commit criminal acts. That is why the government is one of the main culprits in this case.

So today we declare:

One. We declare that no one can “put down” women. 

Women’s humanity is indestructible and nothing can destroy it. It is the perpetrators of these Telegram sexual offences who have given up being human and lost their humanity. As the saying goes, "What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger."  Deepfake sex crimes will not kill women, they will make them stronger.

Two. We declare our solidarity with citizens who resolutely oppose deepfake sex crimes. There are no human rights or hope in a society that treats women's bodies as playthings and takes pleasure in the suffering of others. It is time for everyone to take action to create a society where attempts to "put down" others are not tolerated, and where the "putting down" of others cannot occur. 

Deepfake pornography is everyone's business, and we all stand firmly against these deepfake sex crimes. We declare that both production and consumption is a crime and stand in solidarity with the victims. 

Three. We hold the government accountable for aiding and abetting deep-fake sex crimes. We call for thorough investigations, punishment, and fundamental measures to prevent reoccurence! 

The Yoon Seok Yeol administration has tried to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, claiming that there is no structural gender discrimination, and has eliminated its funding for women and safety. In doing so, the Yoon administration has shown that it has no intention of addressing sexual violence and creating a gender-equal society, but rather that it is determined to sabotage it. The Yoon government should immediately begin a thorough investigation, strengthen international cooperation, punish perpetrators, and establish fundamental measures to prevent recurrence. It should also commit to strengthening institutions promoting gender equality. 

We gather here today to offer comfort and encouragement to each other and to all women. We will not leave victims alone, and we will not allow this to be swept under the carpet. We will collect and tell their stories, and turn them into a fire that will change the world. 

We are not your playthings! 

No shame, just anger! 

The government is also an accomplice for repeated deepfake sex crimes!

You can’t put us down! 

Women's anger paves the way!

August 30th, 2024

Speech rally “Flames of Rage” 

Deepfake Sex Crime OUT Joint Action