Anti-domestic violence campaigners have reacted in horror at a photo showing a woman tied up and gagged while the Bathurst 1000 plays on television.
It was uploaded to Facebook page Hoons-Burnout's Street Racing Australia as a jovial dig at a bloke getting some peace and quiet while watching the celebrated car race in New South Wales.
However, it's sparked outrage from people worried that 'jokes' like this only seek to normalise violence against women.
Sherele Moody, founder of The Red Heart Campaign, referenced the 57 women already killed in Australia in 2019.
Advert
She added on Facebook: "And many, many thousands of women and children are likely to be beaten by drunken revheads following - and during - the Bathurst 1000 this weekend.
"The motor racing industry is a misogynist's paradise so it does not surprise me that this meme encouraging domestic violence is making the rounds.
"If you're wondering how Australia is travelling in its efforts to reduce toxic masculinity - here's your answer.
"Some men still think women should speak on their command. Jokes that reduce women to objects of ridicule and abuse is one of the drivers of violence against women. What an absolute fucking disgrace, Australia. Surely it's time for men to stand against this crap."
Since it has been posted, opinion has been split on just how bad it is.
Advert
Some people have mentioned that it is just a joke and some women have even said their partner would like to do that to them because they are annoying when sport is on the TV.
One person wrote: "The concept might be funnier if a woman did this to a man to watch Bold and the Beautiful in peace because a man can generally over power a woman and so it doesn't trigger that creepy feeling that overrides the 'funny side'. Seeing a woman in this powerless situation is just way too possible. I get the humour, its just that it feels a bit too possible to be a total hoot."
Another added: "I laughed at this because I took it for what it was intended to be... a joke. Just because I laughed doesn't mean I'd do it in real life. If the roles were reversed and a guy was tied to the chair while a female watched something I would still laugh."
The Hoons-Burnout's Street Racing Australia page has since deleted the post.
Featured Image Credit: FacebookTopics: Viral, Community, Australia