WHAT'S NEXT

Tell Etsy to Remove Rape Congratulations Cards from Website
  1. Signatures
    16,808 out of 25,000
    Petitioning
    1. Etsy (Community Management)
  2. Created By
    Roxann MtJoy
    Mount Vernon, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Jan 19, 2011

When Change.org members began calling on Etsy to remove an offensive "rape congratulations" card from the site, the company protested that they had no responsibility to address this type of content under their terms of use. But by the time 17,000 Change.org members had signed the petition, which also denounced cards mocking breast cancer and Down Syndrome, the pressure and media attention focused on the company caused a sudden change in tune.

Not only did Etsy remove the cards being condemned, it changed its terms of use policy to prohibit products that disparage or promote hate against people based on gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities. This ensures that similar items do not pop up on the site unchecked in the future -- and that Etsy can never again claim to lack responsibility over the content of their virtual shelves.

"Congratulations. You Got Bad Touched."

That's the message printed on cards for sale on Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade and vintage items. The cards currently sell for $2.50 each and are made by a person using the name "youstupibitch." I kid you not.

So, what exactly are you getting for your two and a half dollars? An offensive card featuring a drawing of a naked sexual assault victim curled up on the floor of a shower stall, "printed on heavy duty white cardstock" complete with "red accents and matching envelope." 

Etsy's official policy is to take no responsibility for the products sold on its site. Etsy's official Terms of Use state that it  "has no control over the quality, safety, morality or legality of any aspect of the items listed." However, in the list of prohibited items, Etsy says that it does not allow items that harass others or that are deemed obscene.

 Ask Etsy to remove this card from their website and send a message that this type of product is unwelcome on their website. 

UPDATE: The same user on Etsy also sells cards that "congratulate" breast cancer patients and mock mothers of special needs children. Tell Etsy to remove all of these cards ASAP!

Photo credit: Charles & Hudson

Recent Signatures

Remove Rape, Breast Cancer, and Down Syndrome Congratulations Cards from Etsy

Greetings,

"Congratulations. You Got Bad Touched."

That's the message printed on cards currently for sale on your website by the user "youstupidbitch." That card is offensive, demeaning, and potentially traumatizing to survivors of sexual assault. The same user also sells cards that mock breast cancer patients and mothers of special needs children. All must be removed from your website immediately.

The first card in question feautres a drawing of a naked sexual assault victim curled up on the floor of a shower stall, "printed on heavy duty white cardstock" complete with "red accents and matching envelope." Can you imagine if someone sent that to an actual rape victim? The cards for breast cancer and Down Syndrome are no better.

Your official Terms of Use state that you "has no control over the quality, safety, morality or legality of any aspect of the items listed." However, in the list of prohibited items, Etsy says that it does not allow items that harass others or that are deemed obscene. I think a strong case can be made that this card fits both categories.

Etsy may not have a legal obligation to remove the cards in question from its site, but it does have, in my opinion, a moral imperative. Does your company really want to be known as the go-to website for cards that harass, offend, and traumatize survivors of sexual assault, breast cancer patients, and parents of children with Down Syndrome? Do you want to open the doors for sellers like youstupidbitch to peddle the wares unimpeded? I hope not.

Please remove this card from their website and send a message that this type of product is unwelcome on your website.

[Your name]

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