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More than 15 auctions advertising "Wife Beater singlets" were last night pulled from Trade Me after complaints from members of the public and anti-violence groups.
The men's singlets - which came in black, white and grey - did not have anything written on them but were being marketed under the name "Wife Beater".
They were being sold by a company called December Group for between $14.95 and $19.95 but were immediately pulled from the site after the Herald alerted Trade Me bosses to complaints about them. "It's offensive to us and it's offensive to the Trade Me community so the items are gone," said business manager Michael O'Donnell.
One angry trader, who had tried unsuccessfully to have the singlets removed, had posted a message on one of the auctions saying: "How dare you describe a garment as a 'wife beater'?! Do you think domestic violence is funny or something? I have reported this advertisement and will publicise it further if you do not withdraw it immediately."
That auction was withdrawn but later relisted and until last night there were more than 15 other singlets for sale under the same title until Trade Me stepped in. "This appears to be an outrageous trivialising or even glorifying of violence against women for which these companies should be held to account," the concerned trader said.
Preventing Violence in the Home executive director Jane Drumm said it was entirely inappropriate to market clothing based on a social problem like domestic violence.
"All New Zealand knows that we have an appalling problem with domestic violence. There is a huge correlation between partner abuse and child abuse ... nearly half the homicides in this country every year are domestic violence related. I like a good laugh like anybody else but there is absolutely nothing funny whatsoever about using wifebasher as a brand."
Ms Dunn said there were endless stories about "cruel, horrible tortures" against women and children in the newspaper.
"I've been into homes with blood all over the walls. I can't fix this as a joke and I find this absolutely repugnant."
Men's black singlets are often nicknamed "wife beaters" - a label which became well-known after the movie Once Were Warriors.
Mr O'Donnell said investigations were being made whether the company selling the singlets would be allowed to sell other items on Trade Me in the future.
