The ethics of selling ‘I Am Jane Doe’ merchandise
Merchandise tied to the Cornell Seven case has prompted criticism of commercialising an assault allegation, while Jane Doe’s attorney warns that no fundraising sites for her are authorised.
Online sellers and brands are marketing “I Am Jane Doe” shirts and other merchandise after an anonymous woman accused seven Cornell University fraternity members of sexual assault. The men deny wrongdoing and none have been charged.
The hashtag spread in solidarity after online trolls attempted to dox the woman. But the move from social media to storefronts has raised questions about whether sellers are supporting survivors or profiting from a deeply personal case.
Clothing brand Cherrykitten removed a post promoting its products and apologised for turning a serious situation into a product. The company had said it would donate 5 per cent of net sales proceeds to the National Organization for Women.
One Etsy seller told WIRED she had sold 21 sweatshirts since 1 October, then stopped selling the design and said she would donate remaining profits to RAINN. Separately, EQNQ Studio said it had sold 255 shirts, with about 67 per cent of proceeds going to End Rape on Campus and the rest to the business.
Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, told WIRED there are no authorised fundraising sites for her. He said she had requested that donations go to RAINN and urged the public to use caution before contributing to unaffiliated efforts.
RAINN’s chief development officer told WIRED that calls to the organisation’s sexual assault hotline were up 73 per cent in the preceding week. The figure was reported by RAINN; WIRED said it had not independently verified most sellers’ donation claims.
