Everything You Need To Know About The Controversy Over 13 Reasons Why Season 2

13 Reasons Why returned to Netflix last week and while the show has a huge following, controversy has once again swarmed around it.

After concerns that season one was glamourising suicide, the second season has been met with a wave of criticism, especially in relation to the graphic rape scenes.

While the show has thousands of fans, many are questioning whether it deals with its topics, such as suicide and rape, responsibly.

A second rape scene has led to the Parents Television Council (PTC) campaigning against Netflix to end the show describing it as “a ticking time bomb to teens and children.”

In a statement, the group said: ‘We’re issuing a warning about Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why Season 2 and urging the company to pull the series entirely because of the potentially harmful content.”

After this statement, the creator Brian Yorkey defended the show’s rape scenes while talking to Vulture magazine.

As intense as that scene is, and as strong as our reactions to it may be, it doesn’t even come close to the pain experienced by the people who actually go through these things. When we talk about something being ‘disgusting’ or hard to watch, often that means we are attaching shame to the experience.

He added: “We would rather not be confronted with it. We would rather it stay out of our consciousness. This is why these kinds of assaults are underreported. This is why victims have a hard time seeking help. We believe that talking about it is so much better than silence.”

People took to Twitter to express their concern over the scene in the show, with some saying how “graphic” and “sick” it was.

https://twitter.com/Gemo_Disc/status/998979024184635392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teenvogue.com%2Fstory%2F13-reasons-why-creator-addresses-backlash-to-rape-scene-from-season-2&tfw_site=teenvogue

Well – it was a bit much. I get they want to speak up about this – but it triggerd, big time. –

— mendy ° (@mndyXXEST) May 22, 2018

….to watch and to understand so I felt terrible for the people that were triggered by this scene because it was so unexpected. This in my opinion was the worst part of season 2. It was a bit too much for me to handle

— Danasia Summers (@InLoveWithAnaG) May 22, 2018

This isn’t the first time that the PTC have gotten involved. Following the first season’s graphic nature, they urged Netflix to delay the release of second series.

Dan Reidenberg, the executive director for Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, also spoke about the show back in April 2017: “I’ve heard from others that are really concerned because it’s so sensational and so graphic that they’re worried about the copycat effect of suicide.”

The show was forced to cancel its premiere last week as the first episode had similarities to the Santa Fe school shooting, which left 10 people dead.

A study last year found that since the release of the hit series to Netflix, internet searches about suicide spiked.

Due to the extremely sensitive topics the show portrays, it now comes with an intensive warning before watching that reads: “13 Reasons Why is a fictional series that tackles tough, real-world issues, taking a look at sexual assault, substance abuse, suicide, and more. By shedding a light on these difficult topics, we hope our show can help viewers start a conversation.

But if you are struggling with these issues yourself, this series may not be right for you or you may want to watch it with a trusted adult. And if you ever feel you need someone to talk with, reach out to a parent, a friend, a school counsellor, or an adult you trust. Call a helpline, or go to 13ReasonsWhy.info. Because the minute you start talking about it, it gets easier.”

• 13 reasons why
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