Grey area in gender violence – Spain News

THE novel ‘Shades of Grey’ has been blamed for violence against women.

The coordinator of Huelva’s branch of the Andalucian Institute of Women (IAM). Rosario Ballester, has directly linked mistreatment of women to the reading of the erotic novel that has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

She highlighted the violent use of high heeled shoes by men to hit women as a prime example, but also stated that women using high heels were part of the problem.

But her comments have caused concern amongst those present at the end of one of the Days of Attention to the Victims of Gender Violence organised by the Official College of Doctors of Huelva.

Ballester has been reproached for linking the sentimental and sexual relations of the protagonists of the novel by EL James with gender violence.  Many of those who attended said they thought the comments were ‘out of place and flippant’ in relation to such a serious subject.