Yes! Yes! Yes! to Safe Sex

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager






















Yesterday we launched the Yes! Yes! Yes! to Safe Sex campaign in partnership with MTV. The above store poster is being displayed right now, in 79 out of 80 The Body Shop stores around the country to raise awareness of the importance of safe sex in fighting HIV - which alarmingly is on the rise in Australia.

But hold the phone, why only 79 stores? We received the following email from the Marketing Manager at The Glen, a suburban mall in Eastern Melbourne:

We would like to express our concern regarding the current "Yes" campaign which has been erected in The Body Shop's window here at Centro The Glen. (Refer attached) [pictured right]

Given we are a family Centre, we think that the campaign may be considered offensive to many of our shoppers. In the past when similar controversial campaigns have featured in-centre, this has led to a number of complaints.

Whilst we do not have an issue with the support materials (postcards) being available in-store, the large poster in the window is visible by all passing traffic.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, the Lessor does not grant permission for this sign to be in your window as per lease Clause 10.18. We would therefore appreciate it if said poster could be removed from the store window at the earliest convenience.


So, we took the poster down. Ironically however, the sudden lack of a window poster at this particular The Body Shop store, has caused more interest in and curiosity about our campaign.

On the positive side this controversy means the campaign is succeeding at drawing people's attention to this very serious issue. We understand that some people and organisations might disagree with us. We regret if people are offended by this campaign. However we believe;

• not talking about HIV, one of the world's biggest killers, is socially irresponsible
• pretending people are not having sex is naive and not talking about sex is dangerous
• promoting SAFE sex is one of the best ways of fighting the HIV virus
• we wouldn't be The Body Shop if we didn't act on what feel is morally right even if it is considered controversial.
  

So if you'd like to support our campaign please go to one of our stores and pick up a free 'Safe Sex Tips' postcard. I know I'm over-using the word, but I'm genuinely proud that we're filling a role as community educators about HIV and safe sex.

Another way you can support the campaign is to buy our limited edition Tantalising Lip Butter (tastes like dragon fruit - nice!).

In 2008 we donated AUD$63,500 from our MTV Get Lippy campaign (globally over AUD$2.6million) for the Staying Alive Foundation. Staying Alive distributes grants to grass-roots HIV awareness groups and runs this cool youth targeted website: www.staying-alive.org

Once again, 100 per cent of the profits ($11.96) from each Tantalising Lip Butter will be going to Staying Alive. We aim to raise over $89,000 this year.

Maybe those who are offended by this campaign should first weigh up the benefit of protecting families around the world from the HIV virus.