JAKARTA:Southeast Asia technology group Sea's shopping arm Shopee has apologised over an online advertisement in Indonesia that ignited uproar on social media for mocking victims of sexual harassment and abuse.<br /> <br /> On a popular Indonesian gossip account on Instagram, the paid post appeared to imitate women warning about the dangers of dating apps, using screenshots to make it appear to be a real discussion.<br /> <br /> Using the format and portraying predatory male behaviour, one slide featured a man sending a woman a message, that turned out to be a Shopee advertisement.<br /> <br /> Shopee Indonesia director Handhika Jahja said the advertisement has since been removed and the mistake would not be repeated.<br /> <br /> "Sexual harassment is a topic that needs to be handled with great care and seriousness, not as a joke or a promotion," he said in a statement.<br /> <br /> "We sincerely apologise for the use of materials that are not appropriate for marketing materials."<br /> <br /> The commercial was slammed online, with social media users saying it belittled and undermined victims of sexual abuse and harassment, many of whom are afraid to speak out.<br /> <br /> On Twitter, users called for a boycott of Shopee, posting their shock and disgust alongside the hashtag #UninstallShopee.<br /> <br /> Using the guise of a sexual abuse report for an advertisement was heartbreaking, said one user, @HwhippedHyunji: "I'm out of words, this is utterly unacceptable."<br /> <br /> Nenden Sekar Arum of SAFEnet, which monitors online behavior, including threats, violence and disinformation, said it made light of a serious issue.<br /> <br /> "The content was insensitive, as though it denied the experience of gender based online violence, which is currently increasing," she said.<br /> <br /> "It could even stir up trauma for survivors."<br /> <br /> Reports of gender-based violence have more than doubled during the pandemic, according to Komnas Perempuan, Indonesia's commission on violence against women.<br /> <br /> "We appreciate Shopee's quick response," said the commission's head, Andy Yentriyani, adding that Shopee and other firms needed to set policies that would prevent and properly address sexual violence.