Sask. domestic abuse group PATHS calls for Fifty Shades of Grey movie boycott
A Saskatchewan-based group is calling on people to donate, rather than see the anticipated film
A domestic abuse organization in Saskatchewan is calling for a boycott of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey.
The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is joining an online campaign using the Twitter hashtag #50dollarsnot50shades. It's calling on people to donate $50 to a local domestic violence agency or shelter, instead of seeing the film.
"We just think it's a fantastic idea that people save the money they would spend to go see this film that glamorizes abuse and violence against women and instead use the money to support a local service that's helping women who are in these types of relationships," said Jo-Anne Dusel, the co-ordinator for PATHS.
It reads like a textbook demonstration of what an abusive relationship is like.- Jo-Anne Dusel, PATHS co-ordinator
"In the movie and the books, you will see the male character using strategies to control his partner Anna, including stalking, intimidation, isolation and humiliation," said Dusel.
Dusel said she had not read the book and does not plan on seeing the movie, but she had read a blog post called Fifty Abusive Moments in Fifty Shades of Grey.
The post — which highlights controversial excerpts of the book — brought back memories from her own abusive relationship some 30 years ago.
"I started reading through and I had to stop because it was triggering me, certain parts of it were so much like what had happened in the relationship I was in when I was 19," said Dusel.
"It reads like a textbook demonstration of what an abusive relationship is like."
The Hollywood take on the erotic novels is due out on Feb. 13.
"The fact that it's being released (before) Valentine's Day is sending a message to young people — both women and young men — that this is an ideal relationship and I find that to be a very dangerous message," she said.
Dusel said the campaign is concentrating on raising awareness and not on financial gain, but PATHS has already received a handful of donations.