Photo: WENN
Las Vegas resort Hard Rock Hotel & Casino had to change their promotional posters for the upcoming Guns N Roses dates - as it depicted a woman who appeared to have been sexually assaulted.
The posters were advertising the band's four-week run at the venue, but were changed after rape crisis groups said that artwork glorified domestic violence and could re-traumatise victims.
The art, by Robert Williams, was originally used for the cover of the band's Appetite For Destruction album but was later changed after several music retailers refused to stock the album. It shows a robot standing by a woman who is slumped on the street and appears to have been assaulted.
The casino released a statement in response to the controversy, saying, "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino regrets that the Guns N' Roses advertising for their current shows has offended any member of the community. The resort has decided to further modify the art and began the process of changing the materials."
Hard Rock International added: "Hard Rock International does not condone the advertisement or any depictions of sexual violence."
Banned: the controversial cover art for Appetite For Destruction.
The criticism came from Hannah Brook, executive director for Las Vegas' Rape Crisis Center, who said to Las Vegas Review Journal: "This type of advertising is simply unacceptable. Not only for just the victims and the message of violence it brings, but also for the community in general."
She added: "This is not the type of message we want to portray to tourists that are coming to our city. We want them to know it's a safe place to come, and by putting a message out there with Las Vegas above it is concerning."
Guns N' Roses are playing 12 shows at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's The Joint, and the final gig will be on November 24.
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