If you’re a regular Chintz visitor, you may have noticed the bright pink banner that appeared on the site earlier this week. It’s very rare that I place persistent ads on Chintz – if I do, it’s usually within reviews to help you locate a product – but I’ve broken my normal rule and included this one. Why? Because the sex toy store it links to, Desire and Pleasure, is very special and very unique. It’s actually run by the U.K.’s Family Planning Association (FPA), and all profits from the sex toys you purchase from them go towards their charitable work promoting sexual health.
With the highest teenage birth and abortion rates in Western Europe and year-on-year rises in the number of people affected by STIs (482,696 new cases in 2009, 3% more than the year before) sex education and sexual health services in the U.K. have never been more important. The FPA is very much on the front line and not only does an amazing job of both supporting and advising people of all ages on their sexual health as individuals, but also actively campaigns for abortion rights, the protection of sexual health services, contraceptive and alcohol awareness, and those with learning disabilities.
As well as funding the Family Planning Association’s existing work, Desire and Pleasure has another purpose, too: to provide an ethical shopping experience for those wishing to purchase sex toys. Per the FPA’s Business Development Manager, Terry Hawkins:
‘The internet [sic] has created a new era of freedom for people to buy sex products and toys.
‘Just as innovations like the Kindle and downloadable books have kick-started the 50 Shades of Grey [sic] phenomenon, people also like the anonymity and choice that the internet offers for exploring their sexual desires.
‘However, we’re increasingly concerned by some of the common practices in this sector and believe there is a need for safe and trusted place where people can shop with confidence.’
In particular, the FPA take issue with the ‘online remarketing’ of sex toys (basically, the practice of bombarding Internet users with advertisements even after they’ve left adult sites) and, consequently, the potential risk of exposing underage users who have access to a shared computer to inappropriate content. They’re mindful of product packaging, too; the Desire and Pleasure website doesn’t sell items with potentially offensive names or ones that feature explicit/violent images.
So there you have it; an ethical orgasm that’s good for you and good for others. And with the 15% off promotion* Desire and Pleasure are running until 24 December (‘A sex toy is not for life but it is for Christmas’) a toy from them is good for your pocket, too.
You can find out more about the FPA here.
*Enter the discount code BLOG008 before 24 December to obtain a 15% discount on all products.