London Abused Women's Centre withdraws from annual march because of pole-fitness demonstration

[IFPress]

“This is a feminist event and pole dancing is not an act of feminism, it is opposing feminism.”

A dispute over “pole fitness” has pushed a support group for women suffering abuse to withdraw from an event aimed at ending violence against women.

The London Abused Women's Centre will not take part in this week's Take Back The Night event, as the committee organizing it is considering a performance from The Pole House, a fitness studio that offers pole fitness classes, at the event.

“We are concerned about this. We feel it ignores violence against women,” said Heather Wharram, program manager, London Abused Women's Centre.

“We feel that in the vast majority of cases, in strip clubs, women are objectified and exploited. Women in the sex trade are victims of abuse.”

Pole fitness is an activity with origins in pole dancing, common in strip bars. The Pole House also offers other fitness classes, such as aerial circus, yoga and chair dancing, according to its website.

The debate at the committee centred around whether pole fitness is body and sex positive and empowering to women, she added.

“We have an alternate view. It cannot be divorced from its context, its history,” said Wharram.

“This is a feminist event and pole dancing is not an act of feminism, it is opposing feminism. We will not solve women's suppression by dancing on a pole, it will not happen.”

The purpose of Take Back the Night is to raise awareness and end sexual violence against women. It takes place Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Victoria Park.

A final decision has not been made on whether to allow the pole fitness demonstration, said Jane McGregor, executive director of Sexual Assault Centre London, who called the London Abused Women's Centre's exit premature.

But if it does, it may demonstrate women taking what has been an activity linked to adult entertainment, and reclaiming it as empowering, she added.

“It is sad this is taking away from Take Back the Night. We are sister agencies, we all do great work, valuable work. Women go back and forth between our services,” said McGregor.

 

What: Take Back the Night

When: Sept. 15

Where: Victoria Park

Time: Gathering starts at 5:30 p.m., rally at 6:45 p.m. and march begins at 7:30 p.m.

[read more]

The post London Abused Women's Centre withdraws from annual march because of pole-fitness demonstration appeared first on Pole World News.