Despite being alerted to the problem months ago, California Kisses has failed to protect young girls from paedophilic comments. 

In April Collective Shout ran a piece by Jemma Nicoll (first published on MTR) exposing the harmful online practices of global dancewear label California Kisses (CK). The company's homepage advertisement featured three models aged 12-16 posed alongside the slogan 'Pop That', a popular porn-inspired phrase referring to the 'popping' of her cherry, or the taking of virginity.

The article called CK to account on its unmonitored social media activity- almost 300,000 followers, mostly teenage girls, were exposed to online trolls posting abusive, paedophilic comments on the images of CK child models.  

On 29 April, Collective Shout wrote to the four Australian dancewear retailers that stock CK, including Showcase- the licence-holders for on-selling the label in Australia. We invited stockists to respond by removing the label from their stores and letting the company know, until CK decided to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and ethical online practices.

Showcase did not respond. Out of the other retailers contacted - Tu Tu Cute Dance Supplies, Pirouette and Daisy Dancewear -Collective Shout received only one patronizing email reply from Tutu Cute Dance Supplies in Perth, WA which showed complete disregard for the online safety of young girls and ethical practices in children's advertising:

CK did not respond directly to the accusations made in the piece or to the general outrage expressed on social media in response. However we note that the company has since quietly removed the 'Pop That' slogan from their on-line advertising. CK's Instagram account is currently clear of paedophilic comments. 

Thanks to all who helped us put pressure on CK to stop borrowing from a porn genre in their dance wear advertising.

Listen: Jemma Nicoll on ABC Radio National Life Matters program, Tuesday 9 June   

UPDATE 15/6/15: California Kisses removes paedophilic 'pop that' ads after Collective Shout pressure

UPDATE 1/7/15: We spoke too soon