AIBU to think a soap shop shouldn't be encouraging young girls to self harm?

[Elleexxtra]

Lush Paddington are giving out binders, meaning girls can self harm without any danger of their parents knowing and being able to discuss potential issues with them.

www.instagram.com/lushpaddington/

AIBU to think young girls shouldn't be groomed to hate their bodies?

I think they're deleting the negative comments on insta. Twitter is discussing it though.

@UndertonesOfCake

It's better they have access to safer binders rather than resorting to DIY methods. These kids will find a way to bind one way or another.

Do you also object to teenagers being given access to condoms?

How the hell can you equate binders with condoms?

Can’t believe someone is comparing a chest binder to a condom, that’s so stupid.

I hate Lush with a passion and hope this means the end of them.
I’m pretty sure when I was a teenager in the 80s chest binding wasn’t even a thing; no one would have heard of it or known the purpose of it.

@KevinTheKoala

What type of binder are they supplying, the thing is while I do believe that it can be harmful there are LESS harmful ways to do it than others and I remember being given a supply of elastic bands and advice on how to make self harm safer/wound care advice which could be seen as encouragement to continue self harming when I was a teenager. It wasn't encouragement but I was going to find a way to do it anyway and so it was better that I could do it in the 'safest' way possible. However - I do not think Lush (or any other shop) should be the place to provide these things, but I don't know anywhere that is providing these things to teenagers who will find a way to do these things anyway. It's a sad state of affairs but there will always be teenagers who can't turn to their parents and resort to very dangerous methods.

Thing is, it's not protecting those who are determined to do it

It's deliberately advertising to and drawing in young girls

There's plenty all over the internet already, lush really don't need to get involved

Besides which they're advertising it in a celebratory manner not as a harm limiting initiative

This is crazy!!! In what world did the senior leadership team at Lush think that giving out binders to young impressionable girls and allowing them to self harm and mutate their bodies was a good idea!
They won’t get my business again.

I remember being given a supply of elastic bands and advice on how to make self harm safer/wound care advice which could be seen as encouragement to continue self harming when I was a teenager.

Was this supply and advice given by a random shop assistant without the knowledge of a parent or responsible adult?

Harm reduction strategies for children who self harm are reasonable, provided they form part of an overall therapeutic plan to reduce and eventually stop the self harm altogether and are given by a qualified professional within a robust safeguarding framework.

Lush sent out women in white t shirts and made them allow men ro kiss them anywhere in order to sell lipstick

Wtf? When was this?

As well as boycotting this disgusting company, we need to bombard them on social media .. after all, that’s all they seem to give a shit about

@chloecrocodile not from a shop no, and I did say that I don't think a shop is the right place to be providing that sort of advice at all but I don't know that there is anywhere that does. It was given without the knowledge of my parents though because had my parents known I would have had more problems to deal with. I was given this advice by a school nurse I don't believe it ever went any further than her - I certainly never had any further intervention while in school and so it was at least from someone who had some sort of qualifications in dealing with the issue. I do think there should be a confidential service available to teens who are determined to do this though.

I remember being given a supply of elastic bands and advice on how to make self harm safer

I work with dc who self harm and give out advice on safer ways to manage self harm impulses.

The difference is my day job is selling shower gel.

I carry out an initial evaluation of every child or young person I work with, including a risk assessment. I assess the safety and support network around them. I see them individually on a weekly basis.

I don't just walk up to them in the street hand out some items and leave.

It is also worth noting that elastic bands give a very different level of physical harm to a binder.

These kids need professional support not other teens selling soap.

Girls are going to be made ashamed of their bodies with stuff like this bandied about

@User527294627

Stupid click baity title. Wearing a binder isn't self harm 🙄

Tell that to all the girls who have harmed themselves by doing it.

The difference is my day job is selling shower gel.

isnt

Daft auto correct

www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/breast-ironing-flattening/

It's a form of abuse according to the Metropolitan Police.

I boycotted lush quite some time ago because of other campaigns and this just reinforces my decision.

The stidy of 1800 binder users I saw suggested that commercial binders actually did more damage than DIY methods like duct tape and clingfilm. It was suggested that people were buying binders a size too small. Anything that can fracture a rib has to classify as self-harm, surely?

Or what does self-harm mean?

Christ Lush really wants to be something it's not doesn't it?

It's a soap shop. How Akbar's is it to just sell soap and STFU about anything that's not your product.

Hard* not Akbar

I’m one of the few who actually does like Lush products! Every Xmas I ask my kids to buy my gift from there as it’s the sort of thing I like to have but wouldn’t buy for myself. This year I’ll ask for something else.

I also often buy a gift box for my DIL who’s a vegan. She’ll be getting something different this year too. My money will not be lining the pockets of anyone who has jumped on this particular bandwagon.

@UndertonesOfCake

Condoms don't harm a growing body. You are implying that there is a "safe" way to bind. There isn't.

There is also no completely safe way to have sex. There is only safeR sex.

You will notice that I referred to safeR binding.

It is incredibly naive to think that teenagers won't have sex because condoms are unavailable. Likewise it is incredibly naive to think that lack of access to a binder will stop anyone who wants to from binding. They find alternative, less safe, ways - like bandages.

Condoms are 99% safe. Binders are 99% damaging. If someone had anorexia, would you say "have some laxatives"? If someone was cutting themselves, would you say "would you like to borrow my Swiss Army knife?"

My dc love lush, l'm not funding this level of harm to vulnerable teen girls.
They will have to do without.

Anyone fancy sharing some Lush alternatives? Maybe a new thread so we can share fun bath bombs and soaps as lots of teens love the style

I'm another one who boycotted them years ago over something else and I'm so glad I did

@doadeer

Anyone fancy sharing some Lush alternatives? Maybe a new thread so we can share fun bath bombs and soaps as lots of teens love the style

Great idea!

It is an absolute horror show.