Recently, a petition went up on change.org calling for Target to pull Grand Theft Auto V from being sold. The petition makes the claim that the game "encourages players to murder women for entertainment" and that there is an "incentive to commit sexual violence against women, then abuse or kill them to proceed or get 'health' points." The game does not encourage the player to murder women. The game also does not provide "health" points as a reward for killing women. The only somewhat true statement here is that you can engage in sexual activities with some women in the game though I'm not sure picking up a street worker or stripper is considered "sexual violence" given that the acts are consensual by both parties in the game.

However, the petition somehow amassed over 42,000 signatures and as a result, Target stores in Australia have pulled the game from their store shelves. Now, keep in mind that Grand Theft Auto V has technically been out for a year now and Target has been selling the game without any issue for all that time.
"We've been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game's content."

"We've also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue."

"However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers."

In short, Target stores in Australia pulled an R rated (18+) game that they have been selling for a year due to a factually incorrect and factually skewed online petition.


(via Australian Broadcasting Corporation)