It’s not out on the PC yet but it won’t be in Aussie Targets at all.
The Grand Theft Auto series is no stranger to controversy due to its content, comes to women in the game. GTA V has hitthe headlines again as Target in Australia has decided to remove the console versions of the game from shelves. The decision was made following a change.org petition set up by three women who have suffered from sexual violence. The petition titled “Target: Withdraw Grand Theft Auto 5 – this sickening game encourages players to commit sexual violence and kill women”, has been signed by more that 41,000 people since it launched.
The impassioned plea to Target goes on:
“Games like this are grooming yet another generation of boys to tolerate violence against women. It is fuelling the epidemic of violence experienced by so many girls and women in Australia – and globally
“Target, you pride yourself on being a family company, caring for local communities, and have a strong ethical sourcing policy. How can you do this while contributing to hostile and callous attitudes toward victims of violence and, more broadly, to all women?
“We urge you to follow the example set by the New Zealand’s largest retailer, NZ Warehouse Group, in upholding Corporate Social Responsibility and ethical corporate leadership, by removing these games
“This would also set an example to other stockists of GTA V.”
Target was alerted to the petition and took action. Target general manager of corporate affairs, Jim Cooper, commented on the reasons behind the game’s removal:
“We’ve been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game’s content,” Mr Cooper said in a statement.
“We’ve also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue.
“However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers.”
Gamers who used Target will not be pleased with the decision but Target’s Jim Cooper said they would continue to sell other R-rated DVDs and games. The decision to remove GTA V specifically was down to “strong feedback from customers” and that it was “not a product they want us to sell”.
There’s no doubt that GTA V has questionable content and it’s certainly not for everyone, but debates over the suitability of GTA have raged for years and customers will just go elsewhere.
Thanks ABC.
