Statement by NCSE’s Executive Director, Dawn Hawkins
Washington, DC – The Fifty Shades of Grey series will continue with the latest installment, Grey, which the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE) predicts will be an irresponsible rationalization of domestic abuse. Set to be released June 18th, Grey will be a re-telling of the first novel in the Fifty Shades series from the perspective of Christian Grey, the man who tortures and coerces his “love interest” for his sexual pleasure.
In reality, too many women suffer every day at the hands of violence and abuse. For such brutality to be considered “sexy” entertainment, or justifiable because of the abuser’s past experiences or wealth and power, is offensive and an affront to every abused woman in America.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, an average of 24 people per minute become victim to rape, stalking, or physical violence by an intimate partner in America— more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. The continuation of this series perpetuates the mainstreaming of domestic abuse. It sends the false message that victims can “fix” violent, controlling partners by being obedient.
I encourage all to support the survivors of abuse through the #50DollarsNot50Shades campaign, which donates to domestic violence shelters around the country.
To learn more and take action, visit FiftyShadesIsAbuse.com.