How an Ad Creative Student Advocates to End Child Sexual Abuse
By: Majorie Phillips
Editor’s Note: This article covers sensitive topics related to child sexual abuse. While it is important that we talk about child sexual abuse, we also recognize that this information can be distressing and may trigger emotional responses for some individuals. For MSU-supported resources and support, visit https://centerforsurvivors.msu.edu/, https://safeplace.msu.edu/ and https://caps.msu.edu/.
Child sexual abuse is not a comfortable topic to discuss, let alone highlight in media. This sensitive, yet crucial conversation needs more eyes attending to it, and voices calling for others to speak out. When presented with the opportunity to do so, MSU advertising creative student, Kira Vance, did just that. Through a partnership between MSU and the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Department of Advertising and Public Relations professor of practice, Ross Chowles’ ADV 428 students, including Vance, were able to “Imagine a world without abuse” and “shine a light on society’s darkest affliction” through a special exhibition in fall 2024.
Chowles’ gave his student a unique opportunity to be a part of something truly impactful. His assignment brief proposed his students “to imagine a world without abuse.” Due to the sensitivity of this topic, students were given a voice to be a part of this partnership with TBCAC through the exhibition. The exhibition featured different advertising campaigns from Chowles’ past and current ADV 428 students. The ads were presented as part of a child’s bedroom, with the text bubbles of “We saw what happened” and “It’s not your fault” coming from the stuffed animals placed on a child-size bed in the center of ComArtSci’s WKAR studio. MSU social workers were present to aid those overcome with emotion. Vance explained that while the exhibition’s subject matter was upsetting, that discomfort is what makes the project so vital.
“It was uncomfortable but just knowing that you’re putting a lot of hard work and effort into something that’s a major issue, especially in today’s age, that needs to be taken care of,” Vance said.
Vance’s own advertising campaign was showcased in the exhibition, and centered around how comfort food can be used as a tool for difficult conversations. Vance said she baked cookies, blueberry pie, and bacon macaroni and cheese to display messages to proactively combat child sexual abuse by calling it out, such as “Speak Up.” She says that food is something everyone can relate to and is a common ground where people can come together. She wanted to capitalize on the comforting effects food has to be able present a powerful and uncomfortable message.
“Through this project, being able to find solutions in ways that make this topic more approachable to people and helpful to understand is impactful,” said Vance.
This exhibition impacted the perspectives of not only the audience, but the student participants themselves. By creating advertising with a crucial call-to-action the students came to realize just how powerful a tool advertising can be. Through several examples of student work, the exhibition shared facts and information while conveying deeply emotional stories about a real social issue. And though no billboard or advertisement can directly stop abuse, it can start a conversation.
For Vance, working with TBCAC on this campaign caused her to think about the broader messages and undertones of her future work in advertising. She says this profound project has forever impacted her life for the better.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, please be aware that MSU offers several resources for support, including the MSU Center for Survivors and MSU Safe Place.