White Ribbon Australia senior representative slammed over ‘wife beater’ singlet idea

Top domestic violence charity is blasted after senior executive makes cringeworthy fundraising suggestion

  • White Ribbon Australia senior representative slammed over ‘wife beater’ singlet
  • Rep suggested selling items for $1,000 to raise money for violence awareness
  • Proposal was shot down before sparking outrage with social media users

A White Ribbon Australia senior representative has been slammed after suggesting the domestic violence charity sell ‘wife beater’ singlets to raise money.

The person suggested selling the merchandise for $1,000 and including a QR code on the item that would direct users to a domestic violence awareness website.

A member of the charity said the representative aired the idea after it was put forward to them by a third party campaign agency.

A White Ribbon Australia senior representative has been slammed after suggesting the charity sell ‘wife beater’ singlets to raise money (stock image)

The person suggested selling the merchandise for $1,000 and including a QR code on the item that would direct users to a domestic violence awareness website (stock image)

The person suggested selling the merchandise for $1,000 and including a QR code on the item that would direct users to a domestic violence awareness website (stock image)

‘It was decided he would go back to (the agency) and tell them it is a bit too radical,’ the source told Daily Telegraph. 

The proposal angered the public, with commenters venting their disgust over the idea on social media.

‘Defund white ribbon and spend that money instead on crisis accommodation and public housing,’ one person wrote.

Another added: ‘OH MY F***ING GOD’.

White Ribbon national director Allan Ball reassured the ‘wife beater’ singlet would not be sold saying the charity would ‘never use this terminology’. 

Mr Ball said many initiatives were put forward to the charity including lighting up iconic buildings white.

White Ribbon Australia co-chairwoman Rosie Batty AO said it was ‘laughable’ at the idea the charity would ever consider the proposal.

‘It is clear someone has misjudged or misunderstood a conversation,’ she said. 

The proposal has angered the public with residents venting their disgust over the idea on social media

The proposal has angered the public with residents venting their disgust over the idea on social media 

It is the second time in a week White Ribbon Australia has come under the spotlight after the charity prompted backlash over one of its 'tone deaf' appeals (stock image)

It is the second time in a week White Ribbon Australia has come under the spotlight after the charity prompted backlash over one of its ‘tone deaf’ appeals (stock image)

It is the second time in a week White Ribbon Australia has come under the spotlight after the charity prompted backlash over one of its ‘tone deaf’ appeals.

The charity launched a social media campaign that included a photo of a man wearing a white ribbon.

‘$49: Educate one man in person around violence prevention,’ the post read.

The charity was accused of asking people to donate so they could educate men about preventing violence. 

Mr Ball said the campaign had been misunderstood.  

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk