Redditor sarahw’s list of ‘rape prevention tips’ contains a powerful message. Picture: Reddit

Redditor sarahw got a massive response when she posted the anti-sexual assault “pamphlet”, which takes the advice so often dished out to women and tweaks it to target the perpetrator instead.

It reads:

‘FIVE RAPE PREVENTION TIPS’

1) If someone is drunk, don’t rape them.

2) When you see someone walking by themselves, leave them alone.

3) Use the Buddy System! If it is difficult for you to stop yourself from raping someone, ask a trusted friend to accompany you at all times.

4) Carry a rape whistle. If you find that you are about to rape someone, blow the whistle until someone comes to stop you.

5) Don’t forget: honesty is the best policy. When asking someone out, don’t pretend that you are interested in them as a person. Tell them straight up that you expect to be raping them later. If you don’t communicate your intentions, they may take it as a sign that you do not plan to rape them.”

A footnote at the bottom of the “pamphlet” states:

“Rape culture directs women to police their clothing, beverage, behaviour and sexuality at all times to avoid men. It portrays men as powerless against their violent sexual urges. Rape culture demeans everyone and everyone should speak out against rape culture."

Reddit user sarahw_ submitted this list of rape prevention tips aimed at the perpetrator rather than the victim and it has gone viral. Picture: RedditSource:Reddit

In a follow up post, sarahw elaborated on what the list meant and why she shared it.

“I just want to point out that the purpose of the pamphlet is not to be read by and persuade rapists not to rape, it is a satire (a comedic exposition of irony) to highlight the current victim blaming culture and lack of effort to change the perpetrators’ mentality and behavior (sic),” she wrote in Reddit’s Feminism thread.

“I don’t think that giving victims safety tips is bad or wrong — if someone were to hand out a pamphlet about ways not to get burglarized (sic), an effective pamphlet would give the homeowner tips to safe-proof their home.

“But in the case of rape, if the focus is entirely on the victim and not on the culture and education/rehabilitation for the perpetrator, then it frames women as targets unless heavily policed, and men as powerless against their assumed aggressive sexuality.”

The Redditor's list is similar to a more extensive version circulated by US comedian Sarah Silverman in 2015: