| The flyer, handed out to passers-by in the city centre, advertises “beautiful (10 to 20 years younger), intelligent and educated” women from the Czech Republic, who are “unspoiled by feminism and whose culture is one of support and respect for their husband.”
One man was so offended by the leaflet that he brought it to the attention of the authorities.
Kathryn Sharp, from Dundee Domestic Abuse Forum, said her jaw dropped when she read it.
“Apart from anything else, the language in it and its approach to women would be offensive to anyone, male or female,” she said.
Suggesting that it treated women as a commodity, rather than as people, she added, “The implication is that it is about the ability to buy a bride.
“As well as the offence it could cause to members of the public, the leaflet must raise concerns about the possible exploitation of the women in the Czech Republic.”
The United States became so concerned by reports of violence against mail order brides that it brought in legislation, compelling introduction agencies to provide details of their male clients’ criminal records to the women on their books abroad.
A spokesman for the Dundee office of the introduction agency said the organisation, which has been active in the city for about six months, is “entirely above board”.
He said the company has been in existence in the UK for the past 10 years and advertises in a number of national newspapers.
Asked if he considered handing leaflets out in the street an appropriate way of drumming up business, he said the flyers could be “toned down” if they were causing offence.
Councillor Liz Fordyce, whose ward covers the city centre, said she found the thought of such material being distributed in the city streets “disquieting”.
“I think every woman in Dundee would find it upsetting, regardless of their nationality or culture, to be confronted by something so sexist,” she added.
A spokesman for Tayside Police said the leaflet had been brought to the force’s attention. |
