Closing my PurplePort account. Owner's response to abuse victims appalling

On Monday, Purpleport (the UK's leading model/photographer website) correctly banned a photography over sexual abuse. On Tuesday many models shared on facebook and elsewhere how happy they were and it was a shame that it didn't happen earlier. By Tuesday evening, the owner of PurplePort was blasting all and sundry on Facebook in a very rude and misogynistic way taking on abuse victims and their supporters. Some of his comments were deleted by facebook, he has now blocked me - so I am unable to document his tirades, though others are trying.​MY OPEN LETTER - PURPLEPORTPurpleports owner's comments on Facebook towards a victim of sexual abuse and about abuse of models in general has been the worst kind of misogyny.I can no longer associate myself with him or his organisation and will be closing my account in 24 hours (assuming it is not closed already)The model world has a huge imbalance of power between moneyed and older photographers versus younger, working models. Further it is in an industry that is already sexualised. I believe that we should all work to promote model safety and provide safe, working practices for models.A website like Purpleport, with its high profile, should be one of the strongest voices, providing aid, support and knowledge and leading by example. Purpleport should be showing the world that all types and levels of abuse is wrong and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.Instead the last 24 hours has seen the owner lashing out at abuse victims and their supporters. Instead of supporting victims he has criticised them, blamed them, ridiculed them and claimed himself to be the victim.Abuse of models, whether new or experienced, is persistent and vile. It ranges from crude pickup attempts, dick pics, level pushing, sexual language, straightforward touching and groping to sexual contact and rape. Unfortunately PP is not acting promptly or with empathy to victims and effectively gives tacit support to abusers. By failing to act, or worse attacking the victim, they shut down any attempts at reporting abusive actions.Yesterday’s tirade against victims of abuse is as unacceptable as the abuse itself. It supports the abusers and denies and ridicules the victims.I will not support such people or their companies and so am closing my account.Since my announcement of this I have been stunned by the number of models who have contacted me to express how bad this situation is. It goes way beyond this single instance.To all the lovely people I have met through Purpleport, thank you and see you somewhere else. via /r/photography https://ift.tt/2w22CEe