NYC Bowling Alley Makes Fun of Rape While City Sexual Assault Rates Climb

The number of rapes and attempted rapes in Manhattan has increased by more than 4 percent to 1,058 this year, a statistic recently brought to light by a highly publicized rape in Hudson River Park last weekend.

Meanwhile, Bowlmor Lanes, which offers five NY locations, is considering purchasing another round of subway ads that feature the tagline, “Getting jumped in an alley has never been this much fun.”

After NOW-NYC criticized company CEO Tom Shannon and the MTA for the ads, Shannon wrote to them in a letter, “The ad is humorous and flirtatious…NOW’s position on this is extreme and laughable.”

Because there’s nothing sexier than a joke about getting raped in an alley!

According to the New York Times, a group of local politicians held a news conference on Sunday to talk about the increase in sexual violence. It’s time for them to consider the effect that making light of rape (on city property, no less) might have on rising rates. NOW-NYC has a list of people you can call if the ads make you angry:

Tell the MTA to remove this ad from our city subways: mta-nyc.custhelp.com or call 511
Call out CBSOutdoor, the company responsible for subway ad space: 800.926.8834 or cbsoutdoor.com/contact.aspx
Call out Bowlmor CEO Tom Shannon on his ad: [email protected], 212-777-2214