Post-exam stripper event sends ‘wrong message’

The director of the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre said the presence of a stripper at a post-Leaving Cert party in Ballybunion, sent the wrong message to young people.

Vera O’Leary was reacting to a disclosure that English stripper Chelsea Ferguson is to perform at the Eden Nightclub in the north Kerry resort tonight. “Having a stripper at what is a party for young people sends a message that it’s acceptable to exploit women sexually. Such events constitute a form of pornography.”

Ms Ferguson, who regularly posts nude photos of herself on her social media site which has 540,000 followers, is also due to appear tomorrow night at Tamango in Portmarnock for what is billed as an “end of exam blow out” with the “snapchat sensation”.

The events are advertised on the internet as “strictly for over 18s” and the Eden Nightclub has competitions offering VIP meet and greet with the stripper with a bottle of vodka as a prize.

In Portmarnock, the €15 ticket includes entry, three drinks and a meet and greet with the stripper.

Sally O’Hanlon, of Support After Crime Services, said: “It gives the impression to young guys that this is normal and it puts pressure on young girls to engage in sex acts they may not wish to participate in.”