Shoppers are threatening to boycott Primark after a woman was left distressed and in tears as the result of an in-store policy people are calling 'disgusting' and dangerous. The woman was left fearing for her safety when two men entered the changing room in which she was trying on clothes.
The customer, a young woman named Charlotte Kirby, posted a video on TikTok and looked visibly distressed as she recalled the incident.
Following the backlash, a Primark spokesperson told Express.co.uk today that the outrage seemed to have been initiated following a female customer’s experience at one of the retailer’s fitting areas, where she said two men walked in on her while she was getting dressed.
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Since Charlotte’s video was posted on social media, furious shoppers have attempted to reach out to Primark to criticise its changing rooms, with many saying they are put women at risk of violence and indecent sexual conduct from men.
Vikki Lax claimed on Twitter: “If your ‘inclusivity’ leaves young women vulnerable, in tears, fearful and excluding themselves from everyday experiences you really need to look again. You're not inclusive, you're putting women in danger. You're misogynists @Primark.”
@PurnaAnnie said: "If shops are going to have unisex changing rooms then they HAVE to invest in individual lockable cubicles. I have noticed when I have been shopping with my teenage daughter more and more places are now unisex, so I'll always go shopping with her. @Primark change your facilities!"
@HeidiJaneT2 wrote: "I never try on anything in public changing rooms and I def won’t now I will buy stuff and take it home - sad sad times." @Harlequin_Sanch said: "Feel so bad for these girls who know there's a serious problem, are feeling the brunt of it, but are so intimidated by the sheer power of this movement that they still feel they have to proclaim support for the policy."
@_CROTT blasted: "Fcuk Primark! Done with you guys, not shopping there again! I hope this young girl will be okay. #boycottprimark." ger
@Lammysaurus said: "Furthermore, I hope women everywhere #BoycottPrimark for their disgusting contempt to women's privacy, safety & dignity."
Other customers, however, have expressed they are happy with the change and think it is the right step for Primark to take in protecting and listening to its transgender customers.
@cardiganloser pleaded: "#BoycottPrimark is trending bc of a story told by a woman who said she supports unisex changing rooms and thanked primark for how they're handling her case. my heart goes out to charlotte and i hope she gets justice. stop using her story as an excuse to be transphobic."
Twitter user @TheRockFairyHQ said: “The changing rooms aren’t the issue, the men who did this are. Instead of fighting about changing rooms, we should be fighting to ensure men don’t behave like this.”
@yasminesummanx said: "Instead of calls to #BoycottPrimark because they offer a gender inclusive option, why not penalise the men using the opportunity to be abusive creeps and the society that has nurtured them to doing this?"
A Primark spokesperson said: “We are really sorry to hear of this customer’s experience. It shouldn’t have happened and we’re urgently investigating. We are currently reviewing our approach to fitting rooms in our stores to ensure these are always safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.”
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