It’s no secret that mainstream porn is dominated by male violence and aggression against women. A report by the French equality watchdog last year found that as much as 90% of porn features verbal, physical and sexual violence towards women, and a significant amount constituted torture. 

As porn has become more mainstream, its messages – that violence against women is sexy, and women desire and enjoy violence and abuse – have seeped into mainstream popular culture. Strangulation or ‘sexual choking’*, an act of violence that has been popularised in porn, has become so normalised it is referenced and promoted in advertising, TV, social media, popular songs and on clothing – even for babies.

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.

Named 'champions for women' host BDSM-strangulation ads in their malls

'Choking is sexy, women love to be choked'. That's the message Honey Birdette is broadcasting to all-ages audiences in shop windows across the country.