Temu Australia's 'toxic' T-shirts slammed by domestic violence advocates
The retailer has taken action over an offensive social media post.
Online shopping outlet Temu Australia has removed a "toxic" and "arrogant" social media post after fears it could incite hatred towards women amid an ongoing epidemic which has seen 53 female Aussies killed this year, allegedly by domestic violence.
After being alerted to a post featuring a male model wearing a T-shirt with the slogan: "I never argue. I just explain why I'm right", the online retailer swiftly took down the advert.
While the slogan might seem innocuous to many, it carries sinister connotations for domestic violence survivors says Emma*, who saw the Facebook ad and immediately reported it to the social media platform. "I find it saddening and frustrating that such aggressive and toxic messaging is still being put out there in 2023," she told Yahoo News Australia. "Despite reporting the ad twice as 'offensive', the post remained in my feed until I flagged it as 'violent'."
A quick search of Temu's website reveals T-shirts with more overtly aggressive slogans, including "I love my wife. But sometimes I wanna square up" — a phrase often used to describe the stance taken by someone about to fight another person.
Referring to the shirt in the ad, CEO of domestic violence support service White Ribbon Australia, Melissa Perry, told Yahoo, "While we cannot speak to the intentions behind the slogan on this T-shirt, clearly it displays a level of disrespect, arrogance and entitlement that could be triggering to anyone who has experienced violence or been in a controlling relationship. This sort of public-facing messaging, which is clearly aimed at a male demographic, speaks to the outdated attitudes and beliefs that continue to allow men's violence to flourish."
When contacted by Yahoo, Temu, which is owned by Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, said its team "was not aware of the sensitivities involved in this situation" and immediately took down all adverts containing the original image. "Our team is in contact with the merchant for an investigation. However, we have already taken this clothing item offline," a spokesperson said. At the time of publication, however, the shirt remains available on the Temu site.
'We need to be doing more'
In a report released ahead of last Friday's White Ribbon Day, the organisation found more than half of Aussie men "don't know where to start" in preventing violence against women, while two-in-three men believe "not being an offender" is doing enough.
The nationwide survey of 1,000 men found 86 per cent said they had a critical a role to play in reducing gender-based violence but just 6 per cent took action to prevent it, and many struggled to identify social or psychological forms of domestic violence.
"Right now, we're faced with a shocking reality that should make all of us feel equal parts outrage and sadness: on average, one woman is allegedly murdered every nine days in Australia," Perry said. "We cannot be a society so numbed and desensitised that we view family and domestic violence as just another statistic. The time for silence and indifference has passed. As a nation, we need to be doing more to change this unacceptable set of statistics."
Domestic violence spikes around Christmas time
Last Sunday, a 39-year-old female South Australian, who is yet to be named, was allegedly the 51st Aussie woman to die this year due to an act of violence, according to shocking statistics from Destroy The Joint's Counting Dead Women project. Since then, two more Aussie women have sadly been added to the list, both allegedly killed by men known to them, bringing this year's horrifying total up to 53.
"And we know that instances of family domestic violence traditionally spike as we head into the festive season, with issues like financial distress and an increase in alcohol and drug use fuelling this behaviour," Perry added.
White Ribbon says Aussies can help reduce domestic violence by educating themselves and others, speaking out, promoting consent and respect, using online platforms responsibly and understanding DV work policies.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, always call Triple 0.
*Name has been changed.
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