Fifty Shades of Grey romance ‘fuels abuse’

Stuff co.nz 13 February 2015
Christchurch women have been exploited after going in search of a Fifty Shades of Grey-style romance, a lawyer says.

Anna Lloyd, an associate at Brandts-Giesen McCormick Barristers and Solicitors, said she had had vulnerable clients who had been sexually violated under the guise of BDSM practices made attractive by the Fifty Shades of Grey “phenomenon”.

“Women who are looking for love think, ‘well, this might be a different way to find it’,” she said.

The popular but controversial erotic triology by EL James depicts the sadomasochistic relationship between university student Anastasia Steele and businessman Christian Grey.

The film adaptation of was released worldwide yesterday.

Lloyd, who has not read the Fifty Shades books, said they had sparked curiosity in online fetish communities that encouraged video and photo sharing among members.

This could lead to further victimisation of vulnerable women, Lloyd said.

“The male typically takes the dominant role in the relationship. If the relationship ends, he can still have footage of the woman in very compromised positions,” she said.

“It’s not just a sense of violation in what happens to women themselves, it’s then publicised within the online community.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/66134383/Fifty-Shades-of-Grey-romance-fuels-abuse