  |
Adult sex toys in ICC shop
|
Under a licence for 'electronic toys', a shop in the ICC has been selling vibrators for over 8 years. But Customs have now told them that such goods must be reclassified as 'adult sex toys', which the company has done in anticipation of a licensing review next month.
Company director and shop manageress Aimee Jay Saafen told PANORAMA: "This is not an application for 'Gibraltar's first sex shop' as described by the few individuals who have objected. It is considered the norm throughout UK, Europe and America to purchase such goods within lingerie shops and our customers expect to be able to purchase such goods in a professional and safe atmosphere."
The Aimeejay Intimates shop have held their 'electronic toys' licence since 1996, but given the Customs requirement they have to reapply as 'adult sex toys' in order to import new stock. "There is no intended change in practice from previously, just simply that our licence will reflect a different wording to comply with Customs new classification," they told us.
DISCREET
Aimee Jay Saafen says that currently sex aids are sold discreetly, only on request by adult females or adult couples (proof of age is required where appropriate) and are kept in a locked cupboard. No products are visible and no advertising of such goods is undertaken. "Consequently youths have not been exposed in any way," she said.
Vibrators do not cause marriage breakdowns, pass on STDs or lead to unwanted pregnancies. "My customers vary in religious belief and people have the right to choose," she said. "The packaging on the items does not display any nudity and is in fact plain black. There is also no pornographic material sold or displayed anywhere."
SEX AIDS
She adds: We have the support of many local counsellors who have referred customers from couples counselling as it is well known that sex aids can be beneficial to enhancing relationships and communication. We have also been asked to source sex aids for those with specific disabilities.
"We, and our customers, feel very strongly about our right to purchase such goods in Gibraltar. Previously people were still purchasing such items, but from uncontrolled premises in Spain. If the people of Gibraltar did not want such items, then they would not sell and thus I would not stock them, but people have the right to choose to purchase such harmless goods sold in a professional manner," she told us.
The company behind 'Aimeejay Intimates' is Betridge Ltd which was incorporated on 20 November 1996.
|
|
|
|
