Charity slaps scorn on new kinky movie

Friday 13 February 2015

A new charity isn’t feeling the love for the new raunchy Hollywood movie out on the big screen in Jersey today.

Love Matters wants Islanders to take a stand and avoid going to watch Fifty Shades of Grey - a film they say is glamourising sexual abuse.

The movie stars Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey and Dakota Johnson as his lover Anastasia Steele – the characters in El James’ bestselling softcore-novel, described by critics as “mummy porn”.

But Love Matters - the charity set up in 2011 that aims to empower and equip young people in the Island to make healthy and positive choices about their lives and relationships - says it's not sending out the right message.

Project Manager Sarah Gray said: "At the heart of the 50 Shades of Grey story is an unhealthy relationship where the woman is coerced, abused and controlled. We don’t think that glamourising sexual abuse and coercive relationships is an appropriate topic for entertainment. We are aware that this film, as with the books, is going to prove to be popular and is widely anticipated, however we want to encourage people to take a moment to reflect upon the messages that lie behind this storyline and consider whether this is the kind of relationship that we feel should be glamourised." 

One of the charity’s supporters has even stumped up the cash so that they can do more to educate young people about healthy relationships instead. 

Sarah said: "We would absolutely love it if people would consider making a donation towards the work of Love Matters as an alternative to buying a ticket to see 50 Shades of Grey, and are delighted that one of our supporters kick started this idea. We rely solely on the generosity of donors to deliver our service. Any funds donated will be used towards our targeted workshops with young people which explore the importance of having positive and healthy relationships built upon qualities such as mutual respect and trust. We also explore with young people the importance of a sexual relationship being something that both parties are comfortable with and ready for, and especially free from manipulation and coercion."

The charity runs free sessions in schools, youth clubs, community centres and churches. During the last school year the team ran over 140 workshops, working with over 1400 young people.

Sarah said: "We encourage young people to consider what qualities make a positive relationship, when a person might be ready to begin a sexual relationship and what factors might contribute to that decision. We encourage young people to delay early sexual activity, early sexual activity is defined as sexual activity before they are ready and which they may later come to regret. We aim to ensure sure that they feel equipped to make choices regarding their relationships and are free from manipulation and coercion. The feedback that we have had from young people is that we really to help them to make positive choices in this area."

El James' books have sold well over 100 million copies worldwide and have reportedly been translated into more than 50 languages. Although the film has failed to wow critics hot under the collar – it is expected to be a hit at the box office.