7-Eleven Australia has made a decision to stop stocking People and Picture magazines.
This follows a Collective Shout campaign which called on 7-Eleven to withdraw “unrestricted pornographic magazines that sexualise teen girls and encourage harassment”.
According to Collective Shout, the magazines, including People and Picture, include headlines such as ‘X-rated Aussie Teens’, refer to teenage girls as “fresh flesh” and promote ‘nip slips’ and ‘upskirting’. Another article claimed that girls desire being groped by strangers.
No fit for 7-Eleven
7-Eleven CEO Angus McKay says People and Picture magazines are no longer stocked in corporate stores. He has requested the brand’s franchisees discontinue stocking them.
“The material does not fit within the values of 7-Eleven,” Mr McKay said.
“That is why we made the decision to remove these products from our stores.
“In addition to the previous communication sent to stores, a separate note to all franchisees and store managers that reinforced the earlier message has been sent. This note makes my, and the company’s, view on these magazines very clear.”
A ‘welcomed’ move
Collective Shout campaigns manager Melinda Liszewski welcomed the move.
“The display and sale of pornographic magazines in the public space creates a hostile environment for women and girls,” she said. “Decades of empirical research shows this.
“Sexual objectification and sexism creates a culture of violence against women. This is acknowledged in the Federal Government ‘National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022’.
“These magazines should never have been available in 7-Eleven.
“Pulling them from sale now is a positive step towards a culture of respect for women and girls and we hope and expect other retailers to follow this example.”
