Big W confirmed staff have been abused causing them to move a controversial sex book to online sales only.
Written for children, this "graphic" sex book has received major criticism after attracting nationide attention.
'Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out' was condemned in a viral video and claimed to be “grooming our children, exposing them to sexually explicit and highly inappropriate material."
A Big W spokesperson has revealed physical store will stop selling the book as "multiple incidents of abuse” aimed at staff have occurred.
“BIG W will continue to sell the parenting book, ‘Welcome to Sex’ as part of our Parenting range."
“We know there has been a wide range of views about the book, however it’s disappointing that there have been multiple incidents of abuse directed at our store team members in the past 24 hours."
“To keep our team and customers safe, the book will be available to customers online only from later today.”
Dr. Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes released the book in May, angering some parents so intensely, they have threatened to boycott the department stores until its removed from sale.
Big W doubled down saying the book is "educational, age-appropriate and inclusive," whereas critics have described it as “pornographic” and demand it pulled.
Chief executive of Women’s Forum Australia, Rachel Wong said she “felt physically ill at the thought of children reading it," saying it was “graphic sex guide for children.”
She was also appalled at Yumi Stynes commenting saying the book was suitable for ages 10 to 15, but she would be "happy with a mature and smart 8-yo having a flick through."
She also took issue with language surrounding consent used in the book, highlighting the legal age is 16/17 and suggesting "if the age difference is small, the law might take this into account.”
She accused the authors of mentioning the legal age to avoid "getting in trouble because the book is basically a sex manual for kids.”
“But then they sort of say, ‘if you’re a certain age and someone’s not too much older than you … you could get away with it."
“The fact that a particular comment about the age of consent is couched in this book which explains all these sorts of sexually explicit activities is really just, ‘oh we might cover up that bit’ but at the end of the day we are promoting sexual activity for children."
There was also issue taken with the book warning children to crop their faces out if they decide to send explicit photos, "shouldn’t the advice be ‘don’t take the photos and don’t send them on?’”
It was argued the book was attempting to "safeguard" itself but was actually "doing the exact opposite because it’s promoting the behaviors and then saying, ‘if you do it in a way that’s careful and can protect your privacy, it’s going to be fine,' when it’s absolutely not going to be fine."
“It’s just so, so disturbing. My friend’s son who is 11 years old, he thinks that kissing is gross and most children his age feel similarly."
“They have this natural awkwardness around sexual things, a natural aversion, which is a protective mechanism and material like this is an attempt to destroy that.”
Wong was described as a "right-wing anti-trans campaigner” and the man behind the video as an “anti-vax conspiracist and men’s rights activist.”
“This morning platforming a right wing anti-trans campaigner about child sex education & a litany of moral panic from callers about a book providing comprehensive sexual education material which is proven to reduce the likelihood of child sexual abuse."
Another tweet slammed them saying there was an "LGBT+ agenda coming after kids."
Big W and Target have been demanded to "get this book out of your stores.”
Despite much negativity, many parents have still welcomed the book, saying they're eager to introduce it to their kids.
“Will be adding this to the resource pile, strongly believe I’m talk early, talk often & openly approach."
“This is great! My daughter is six but I’ll get your book anyway. I’m curious to read it."
“Congratulations! This is incredible. As a teacher, I am very much looking forward to purchasing this for book to have a look through & recommend to parents."
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