We cannot support Topshop’s new jewellery to raise money for the EDV Global Foundation
We were extremely disappointed to see designer Solange Azagury-Partridge's new jewellery pieces which were created to raise funds for the End Domestic Violence Global Foundation.
The End Domestic Violence Global Foundation helps support a number of very well-respected British charities working to end domestic violence and abuse, however, this image is simply not appropriate. It buys into myths about women survivors being "weak", insinuates that domestic violence is only about physical and sexual violence and effectively erasing the perpetrator. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercion and control which can involve physical and sexual violence but the most common forms are emotional, psychological and financial abuse. A campaign to end domestic violence must make it clear that the perpetrator makes a choice to abuse - and that women living with domestic violence are surviving a level of state approved torture due to failings within the criminal justice system, the Home Office and the NHS. Cuts to services, particularly specialist refuges, puts women at risk. We need to be clear that police failures to take domestic violence seriously, and the failure of the judiciary to implement appropriate punishment, as well as lack of specialist services all conspire with abusive men in continuing to perpetuate domestic violence.
Women living with domestic violence are not weak - they are survivors. A jewellery range which raises funds for third sector and charity organisations working in the field of domestic violence and abuse must make this clear.
‹ Breach of Anonymity by Sky More on *that* Allison Pearson rape apology piece ›
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Absolutely yes to everything you are saying here. We cannot support the design when it reinforces such negative stereotypes/myths about women and overlooks the wider context of what domestic abuse is.
Hear hear – this latest profit making scheme exploits women by portraying them as submissive creatures who don’t even have a face!
Male violence against women and girls is a violation of all women’s and girls’ fundamental human right not to be subjected to said violence. Men have for centuries declared they have the right not to be routinely subjected to male violence and male torture but we women are still fighting the men in political power to have them recognise we are female humans not males’ disposable/interchangeable dehumanised commodities.
Women living with violent male perpetrators are not weak – men who make the choice and enact their agency to subject women to violence are the ones accountable. Name the invisible agents – do not collude with men and their Male Supremacist System.
Why would you want to wear an image of a beaten woman around your neck? What kind of message is that? Topshop is very fashion focussed and it does not sit well with me that this image is being sold in a shop like that. Yes raise awareness but the image is all wrong.
These are awful 🙁
The image is appropriate- it makes the point of the pain abused women suffer
The women may be strong living with the abuse but I don’t see how another image makes that point. What do you want a flower another ribbon, a superwoman?
This image is strong and understandbly upsets some people but wearing an image of suffering reminds us that we must act to end this horrible crime against women. It is easy to write negative emails but it takes funding to help women in these situations I would be proud to wear an image which shows I standby women who are suffering. Domestic violence is not pretty it’s raw
I am a survivor and I find your comment about standing by me utterly patronising and rude. Your pride at wearing the necklace is all about you feeling like a saviour and nothing to do with actually supporting survivors.
If you want to financially support women living with domestic violence, please donate directly to an organisation working in the field. Giving money to a corporation who do not pay tax in the UK who will only give 50% of the profit to a charity whose international reputation is piss poor doesn’t help women. It’s the misogynist version of the racist Band Aid.