Top

blog

Stories

 

Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore Criticized For Sex Trafficking PSA Campaign

Categories: Celebrities

sofia vergara real men.JPG
Sofia Vergara promotes 'real men.'
The Demi and Ashton Foundation came under fire this week for, well, trying to do good. Because we all know Fox News hates do-gooders.

Actually, what happened was that Norma Ramos, director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, told the network that she thought the efforts of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher were good but could be broader.

Demi and Ashton have started a PSA campaign titled "Real Men Don't Buy Girls." Ads feature the likes of Sean Penn, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, Bradley Cooper and Justin Timberlake.

Ramos told the Weekly that she thinks the campaign should include women, not just underage victims.

"People aren't standing up and saying don't you think we should be able to buy children," she says. "Where there is the battle is getting public consensus on whether or not adults should be for sale."

Not that girls doesn't often include women, at least in vernacular.

And, regarding Demi and Ashton's efforts, Ramos says:

I commend Demi and Ashton for choosing sex trafficking as an issue they want to work against. It's hugely important that artists step up and present leadership and these two meant to do that.

She says she said this to Fox News but that reporters kept asking her to boil down her feelings. "I feel that Fox News spun it totally negatively," Ramos said.

She claims the reporters kept grilling her until she came up with this quote:

This is what happens when celebrities do an issue divorced from the movement. Once you chose an issue and don't do it in collaboration with people who have been doing this for a long time, this is what you end up with. There is a general dumbing down that is going on and this is an example of dumbing down a social justice movement with the narrowest message possible.

And that equals international headlines: Demi and Ashton get slammed for "dumbed down" PSAs on sex trafficking. You know.

"What I have said is the message is too narrow," Ramos told us. "The messaging of real men don't buy girls is too narrow. Real men don't buy sex. If we stand up for children we have got to keep adults from being sex trafficked too. If an adult can be sold, children can be sold."

So there, Fox.

My Voice Nation Help
4 comments
Kat72
Kat72

I think this is an important cause, but unfortunately both Ashton and Demi have put themselves in a position to be called hyprocrites because of their acting roles, ( Ashton taking Charlie Sheens character and Demi in that movie where she was sold to Robert Redford for 1 million dollars)Even though these justĀ film roles, they are just as influential in the characters they portray as they are in influencing peoples opinions on issues. This is how an important message can get easily lost in all the glitter of Hollywood. It would have been better to lend a hand to people who have more experience in these areas than to take this on themselves.

Jim
Jim

Ashton, What a Hippocrates.The message you send females and your daughters is, Do as I say Not as I do.....You are going to play Charlie Sheen, who is a wealthy man, who pays for sex, and encourages Johns to buy and degrade women.This is contrary to your new campaign to go after the Demand side of prostitution.Are you just Greedy or a liar. Walk the Talk, Please. Jim

Jo
Jo

Good and honest

Mesmeris
Mesmeris

The ads do come across as a bit odd, in a 'this is your brain on drugs' kinda way.

Now Trending

From the Vault

 

General

Home

©2013 LA Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city