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Perth shopping mall under fire over ‘exposed genitals’ Honey Birdette ad

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A Perth shopping centre has come under fire over advertising images displayed by lingerie store Honey Birdette. Collective Shout.
Camera IconA Perth shopping centre has come under fire over advertising images displayed by lingerie store Honey Birdette. Collective Shout. Credit: News Corp Australia

A Perth shopping centre has come under fire for hosting a kids’ activity near a racy lingerie store and its display of “porn-themed” images.

The Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City has been hosting winter school holiday activities, including ice skating and face painting.

But activist group Collective Shout said the advertised “winter wonderland”-themed activities were just 30m from sexualised and bondage-themed advertising images of women at the Honey Birdette store.

“This is what kids will see when they go to Lendlease Lakeside Joondalup shopping centre for school holiday events,” the group said on its Facebook page.

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“How many kids will have to walk past these pornified and degrading representations of women to attend their school holiday activity?

“We’ve censored this image for you, but Honey Birdette is showing kids the uncensored version, featuring women’s exposed genitals – and Lakeside Joondalup is allowing it.”

Assignment Freelance Picture The Honey Birdette advertising imagery that has drawn controversy.
 Source: Collective Shout.
Camera IconThe Honey Birdette advertising imagery that has drawn controversy. Collective Shout Credit: News Corp Australia

The shopping centre’s Facebook page drew complaints about the images.

“No one likes to explain to kids why a ladies genitals are falling out of her clothes and all over the shop window,” one poster wrote.

Another woman added: “By allowing this in your shopping centre you are exposing thousands of children to pornified imagery every day. It’s not okay.”

Responding to the complaints, the shopping centre said its winter wonderland activities could be accessed from all mall entries without having to pass the Honey Birdette store.

However, one user asked about other children walking through the centre who would also be “exposed to pornified, blown up women’s genitals on display”.

The centre directed customers to lodge their complaints with Australia’s advertising regulator.

“While we understand your concern with these images, retail leases permit tenants to display any advertising within their tenancy as long as it is in accordance with both national and state laws along with industry standards,” the shopping centre replied on its Facebook page.

“This advertising is governed by the Advertising Standards as opposed to the landlord, and Ad Standards can request the removal of advertising if they determine it is in breach of the standards.

“In a bid to maintain a shopping environment that caters to the needs of our broad customer base, we encourage customers to lodge their feedback with Ad Standards to ensure they are informed of such concerns and can take the appropriate action.”

Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Perth shopping mall under fire over ‘exposed genitals’ Honey Birdette ad

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