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Sex-abuse charity defends burlesque show

By Lisa Smyth
Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Burlesque performer Amber Topaz, whose appearance at the International Women's Day concert has sparked concern

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Organisers of a fundraising show for a leading sex-abuse charity have defended plans for a burlesque performer to appear at the event.

The Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre, which provides counselling and support to the survivors of sex attacks, has come under fire for using a near-naked dancer as part of its line up for a fundraising concert to mark International Women's Day.

The centre has defended its decision to feature a burlesque showgirl against claims that it is reinforcing the notion that women are sex objects and said the decision to book Amber Topaz is part of a celebration of women.

Eileen Calder, co-director of the centre, said: “Women are taking back their sexuality in this day and age and there is a vast difference between erotica and pornography.

“We don’t exist to promote prudishness. I believe women are entitled to be sexual beings and feel comfortable in their sexuality. Our femininity is not something we should be ashamed of.

“We would like to extend our thanks to all the performers at the International Women’s Day cabaret for their generosity and their time. From belly-dancers to burlesque, cabaret to swing and disco to dance – we welcome talent from all walks of life.”

Amber Topaz will join a line up of other acts, including Living TV Rehab star and former X-Factor finalist Rowetta, I’d Do Anything singers Rachel Tucker and Niamh Perry, as well as performances from top swing singer James Huish and a special live set from international DJ and music producer Micky Modelle at Queen’s University Students Union on Sunday.

Concerns have been raised about the suitability of an appearance of Amber Topaz — her website has pictures of her topless with tassels on her nipples, although the Rape & Crisis Centre has stated that her performance at their fundraising will not include nudity.

Feminist writer and former Queen’s University academic Fionola Meredith has been quoted as saying: “The Rape Crisis Centre is a great cause and it deserves all the support and fundraising it can get.

“But engaging a burlesque star as part of the International Women’s Day cabaret is a mistake and one that is in rather bad taste.

“Having a half-naked dancer prancing around provocatively in leopardskin stockings and bra simply reinforces the idea women are first and foremost sexual objects.”

Over the next week, a whole host of other performers will be announced for the marathon event starting at 7.30pm at the Speakeasy in Queen’s Students Union. These will include performance arts, dance, acrobatics and more singers.

John Ferguson of Crew Management, which is managing the event, said: “I was approached by the Rape Crisis Trust who were set up late last year to raise vital funds for the Rape Crisis Centre.

“Each month staff and volunteers at the Rape Crisis Centre battle against an ongoing funding crisis to keep their helpline open. We wanted to put on an event that brought the best of female talent together a variety of other performances to give a night of entertainment for everyone.

“We decided that we wanted to also use the event to celebrate the work of the centre and also to celebrate International Women’s Day which this year will mark 27 years since the organisation opened its doors in 1982.”

Tickets for the event are available from Ticketmaster.

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Like many other people I think this is an inappropriate way to fundraise for this particular charity. Those who are defending and supporting it should take note of the poll results released today in which one in seven people believe it is acceptable in some circumstances for a man to hit his wife or girlfriend if she is dressed in “sexy or revealing clothes in public."

One in seven people believe it is acceptable in some circumstances for a man to hit his wife or girlfriend if she is dressed in “sexy or revealing clothes in public”, according to the findings of a survey released today.

These facts need to be addressed and these opinions challenged instead of having a night of objectifying women.

Posted by Nicola | 09.03.09, 15:22 GMT

as a volunteer of 12 yrs with rape crisis i am proud to state my affilliation with the organisation and with the event that is causing so much controversy....as someone who actually knows and has heard the experiences of the brave women and men that avail themselves of the centres services,
that rape is not about how someone dresses or dances.....rape is about power and control....burlesque is a well known dance art form that has been around for over 50 yrs.....is n.i that narrow minded that it now has to find a new excuse for sexual violence.....i dont think so....now is the time to stop blaming the victims and put the responsibility where it lies......rapists dont rape because of scantily dressed men, women or children ....they rape because they can....because they seek the power that they cannot find elsewhere......btw the show is not only about burlesque, its actually about freedom.....the freedom to enjoy life and all its wonderful pleasure......attend and enjoy

Posted by pearl | 05.03.09, 21:55 GMT

I am a burlesque performer and have performed in many burlesque shows, the majority of the audience in all of these shows were women (probably about 70%). Burlesque is an art form that empowers women, emphasises all that is feminine and graceful and indeed promotes strength and confidence within the female character. We as women are sexual beings as are men,this will not change. Rape is a despicable crime, a violation of human rights and should be abhorred by all society. A woman never deserves rape no matter what she is wearing, how much she has drunk or what type of dancing she likes to perform. Surely the rape crisis centre has made a good decision in their choice of performers by choosing acts that promote female strength, confidence and self assurance. Surely the point of this night of entertainment should be about raising money for a well deserved and much needed charity.

Posted by Burlesque Belles, Newry | 05.03.09, 14:02 GMT

Are the rape crisis centre doing themselves a great disfavor by allowing a burlesque showgirl to feature as part of their fundraising program? Flaunting sexuality in this way only fans the flames of lustful desire and encourages women to be thought of as merely sex objects. It is more than a little ironic that the funds are in aid of the rape crisis centre. The victims of sexual abuse will be very confused by the message this sends out.

Posted by concerned | 03.03.09, 23:14 GMT

I saw burlesque in the Black Box on Valentines Day and was very impressed, the dancers were amazing. Rape is a problem with male sexuality and this demonstration of powerful female sexuality shouldn't be looked down on because of that.

@ concerned women, your use of the word 'flaunting' is telling.

Posted by Farrah | 03.03.09, 21:27 GMT

Women have the right to be safe from any form of sexual violence or abuse. We have a right to express ourselves whatever way we choose without the threat of rape. For too long we have allowed patriarchal institutions to set the agenda for the Rape Crisis Centre - we have been complicit in giving out so called safety information advising women to drink sensibly, get taxis.......The time has come for our organisation to say, not just that women's freedom should not be curtailed by trying to prevent crimes being committed against us BUT Women are entitled to PLEASURE and it is up to each of us to decide what our pleasures are. If I choose to dance naked in the moonlight while snorting cocaine - I still have the right not to be RAPED - Rape is the next most serious crime on the statute book next to murder and should be treated as such - It is about power, contol and humiliation not just sex. It is time we stopped blaming the victim - It is time for women to reclaim joy in their sexuality

Posted by Eileen Calder | 03.03.09, 19:59 GMT

Its nice to see the organisers making a stand, i will be buying a ticket for the show!!!!! great idea, great cause

Posted by m whitehouse | 03.03.09, 19:56 GMT

i think it is an amazing idea and we are well past the old feminist ideas of men hating and being ashamed of our bodies. Burlesque has been round for years and there is a recent upsurge in women resorting back to old sophisticated looks of the 1950s and burlesque is just a fun sexy version of this. there are burlesque life drawing classes all over the world including belfast.
The rape crisis center is in dire need of money and this is a fantastic way to raise some. belfast needs to shake up and realise where their priorites should lie. its about women and i think the place is going to be full of strong independent women not just guys. i have to say on a sat in in the city center there are many drunk girls with even less clothes than some burlesque dancers. This is post-feminism, get with it!

Posted by emma | 03.03.09, 18:20 GMT

I think this is in bad taste.

Posted by Kay | 03.03.09, 18:19 GMT

after seeing all the publicity this is getting in the papers, radio and probably the television. this is more likely the work of good promoters getting press the for event rather than someone actually trying to take any sort of moral stand. well done mr john ferguson of crew management, you have demoralised women and created a media circus all on one go.... congratulations

Posted by less concerned women | 03.03.09, 16:55 GMT

there's nothing wrong with this at all! Women are indeed sexual beings as are men, that does not mean they are here to be used and abused by would be rapists and such like. This is a celebration of women of all styles. Good for them! Terry you're very sad.

Posted by Wisky | 03.03.09, 16:15 GMT

excellent cause..excellent idea........excellent publicity.....good luck...

Posted by willeric | 03.03.09, 15:19 GMT

tell you what, terry, you organise it, and I'll get a squad of men to come along and support you.
concerned woman - i think your views are a disgrace.

Posted by mk | 03.03.09, 14:59 GMT

Here’s a question: if it were men who wanted to ‘take back their sexuality’ and ‘were entitled to be sexual beings and feel comfortable in their sexuality’. And their ‘masculinity (was) not something (they) should be ashamed of’, would they do so by having semi naked men dancing about a stage?

Posted by terry | 03.03.09, 13:47 GMT