Playboy-owned sex shop Honey Birdette has received its 70th ruling for being in violation of Australian Association of National Advertisers code of ethics. The rulings relate to the company’s porn-themed window displays in shopping centres.

Since 2010, Ad Standards has investigated close to 160 complaints about Honey Birdette promotions, upholding complaints against 70. The latest ruling was announced 13 March, with two separate ads deemed to have a “high level of nudity” and found in breach of Section 2.4 of the Code.

Our fifth victory for 2024!

NSW supporter Pat sent our Movement Director MTR this image late Sunday afternoon, posted to the Insta account of Boveda, which describes itself as a ‘Modern Mexican Tequila Bar’ in Thirroul, NSW.

A new Children's Advertising Code has come into effect as of December following a review by the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), but it is ultimately meaningless. 

Honey Birdette whip + paddle ad ruled "not strongly sexual"

*Content warning

Have you seen Honey Birdette's latest ads?

These porn inspired, BDSM themed ads were spotted at family friendly shopping centres across Perth:

Petition to pull Australia's 'most complained about' ad

Originally published in the Daily Telegraph

A “kink and BDSM-inspired” mural in the Sydney CBD of a “furry” leather-bondage man with a teddy bear head has been slammed for being “inappropriate” and “creepy” in a public space.

The painting, created on a Wynyard street wall by “YCK Laneways”, a consortium promoting local shops in nearby streets, is part of the WorldPride festival, but has been likened to the recent Balenciaga fashion house scandal linking adult sex themes to children.

Online reaction to the image, depicting an overweight man with bondage straps laying on a rainbow flag on a couch with a bear and the logo “YC Gay” was scathing, with some calling for it to be removed.

Grassroots campaigners Collective Shout spokeswoman Caitlin Roper said children should not be exposed to sexual fetishes, but that the mural would attract their attention because of the use of “appealing” teddy bear images.

“The widespread condemnation of Balenciaga for their BDSM-themed ads involving children demonstrates that many people strongly object to involving or exposing kids to this kind of content,” Ms Roper said.

“Kink and BDSM-themed imagery is not appropriate for the public space which includes children.

“The global research is clear – sexualising children by exposing them to adult, sexualised or pornographic imagery harms their physical and mental health, beliefs, attitudes and sexuality in a range of ways.”

“There are other ways to promote diversity and inclusivity that don’t involve adults imposing their sexual fetishes on an audience that includes children.”

Read more in the Daily Telegraph. 

UPDATE: Caitlin Roper quoted in Daily Tele piece on Oz Kink Fest

Caitlin Roper from grassroots Australian organisation Collective Shout, who campaign against the infiltration of pornography and harmful objectification into the mainstream, sees deep problems with the message that sexualised abuse is sexy and women should enjoy it.

“We're seeing the legitimisation of male violence against women under the guise of ‘kink’ and BDSM,” she says.

“I think it is being fuelled by the mainstreaming of violent porn… all of which paint degradation and sexualised violence against women as 'hot' and something women should want.”

She says LGB was previously about same sex attraction but has grown to the point where sexual preferences and fetishes have been added to that.

From 'Being a little kinky has gone a bit too far', Clarissa Bye, 2 March - only in the print newspaper

See also:

Balenciaga exploits children in BDSM-fetish themed ads

Objections to BDSM-themed kids show 'Battle Kitty': MTR in NY Post

LOL dolls in BDSM + fetish wear are more examples of 'corporate paedophilia'

Corporate Paedophilia: Clothing brand Caroline Bosmans sexualises kids for profit

Joint submission with the Hon. Nick Goiran MLC on protecting children from harmful, hypersexualised advertising

Shopping centres trade women's + kids' safety for porn company profits

In 2017, Westfield told us they "heard" our objections to sex shop Honey Birdette's floor-to-ceiling, objectifying, porn themed Santa ads displayed in their family malls.