With one in four women in England and Wales expected to experience domestic violence throughout the course of their lives, it’s a serious issue that shouldn’t be addressed in a light-hearted manner.

And yet, Snapchat approved an advert that asked if you’d rather “slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown?”

The awful question on the social media platform has since been pulled after users – including Chelsea Clinton – called it “awful”.

The advert, which was only published in the US, appears to make light of Chris Brown’s violent past. As the singer was found guilty of domestic assault against the Rihanna in 2009.

And people have taken to Twitter to vent their fury at the advert.

Activists Brittany Packnett and Royce Mann, discovered the advert and called it out on Twitter. With Packnett saying that all adverts are approved by the social media platform before being published. 

“The ad was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines. We immediately removed the ad last weekend, once we became aware. We are sorry that this happened,” a spokesperson from Snapchat told Mashable.

Other users called the advert “tone deaf” and “awful”. 

Now, Rihanna has responded to the advert on Instagram. 

“Now SNAPCHAT I know you already know you ain’t my fav app out there!” She wrote on her Instagram Story on Thursday 15 March.  

“You spent money to animate something that would bring intentional shame to [domestic violence] victims and made a joke of it!!!”

She then went on to voice her support for women, children and men who’ve ever been victims of domestic violence. She then finished the statement saying, “Shame on you. Throw the whole app-oligy away.”

If you have suffered from domestic abuse of any kind, visit www.refuge.org.uk for support and information. You can also contact Woman’s Aid here, or call the 24 Hour Freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline. 

Images: Twitter / Rex Features