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Grand Theft Auto Promotes Violence Against Prostitutes: Um... What?; Posted 11 months, 1 weeks ago by Sarah

Did they run out of video game controversies this late in the year? Are calling games “cop-killers” and “murder simulators” so over? Well, hang on, Grand Theft Auto, you’re not done yet. The Toronto Sun has reported today that the popular and often-demonized series encourages violence against sex workers.

Why today of all days to run this story? Because it’s International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, of course! (Huh?) Anastasia Kuzyk of the Sex Workers' Alliance of Toronto had this to say in defense of herself and others in her noble profession:

“Sex work is a job, and violence isn't in the job description… There's a video game out there where you can run down prostitutes and kill them and beat them up and take their money. It feeds into the whole subculture of allowing the violence to continue. Violence against sex workers should not be normalized, but it is."

Violence is never okay and I’m not saying that it is. I just think once again, this issue has been blown way out of proportion by the media, who are usually pretty clueless about video games in general. Yes, it’s true that in the game, you can have sex with a prostitute to regain health and then kill her to get your money back. You know what else is true? THAT IT’S JUST A GAME.