Dear Petition Supporters,

Last year grassroots anti-sexploitation group, Collective Shout contacted a number of "ethical" superannuation funds to ask about their investments in landlords that host Honey Birdette’s porn-themed shop windows. The super funds gave various responses and in some cases, no response at all. Encouragingly though, Catholic Super divested completely from one of Honey Birdette’s landlords, and Ethinvest notified Westfield (Scentre Group) of an "ethical downgrade"!

Though just a trickle, these responses are a powerful demonstration of corporate social responsibility: these two funds at least showed that they are willing to put their money – and yours - where their mouths are. 

The super funds were again contacted in February to update them about Honey Birdette’s Christmas/New Year ads that were explicit with BDSM-themes serving as the backdrop to a Lendlease shopping centre children’s Santa’s parade (see image). It was pointed out that as long as the property companies continued to host these ads they were harming women and girls, and also men and boys who did not want to see sexualised imagery at their local shopping center. They were asked again, what is the point of difference between their "ethical" or "socially responsible" funds and all the others, when they hosted companies that behave so unethically?

These are important questions that you can also ask your super fund.

You can also catch up on other action towards "ethical" super funds here: https://www.collectiveshout.org/when_ethical_funds_invest_in_sexploitation

Please share this petition update. You don't know which person of influence might read it and be concerned. Let’s continue to spread the word and hold Honey Birdette’s landlords accountable for their unethical behaviour!

Best regards,

Kenneth Thor