Man-shaped punch bag withdrawn after complaints from men

Leading retailer Superdrug has withdrawn a womens boxing set from sale after complaints from a support group for male victims of domestic violence.

London, Dec 9 : Leading retailer Superdrug has withdrawn a women's boxing set from sale after complaints from a support group for male victims of domestic violence.

The ManKind Initiative told the store that its man-shaped inflatable punchbag encouraged women to hit men.

It wrote to Superdrug's managing director calling for the 9.99 pounds product to be pulled down.

The Hers Boxing Set comes in pink packaging and contains a man-shaped punchbag and a pair of boxing gloves.

ManKind Initiative said owners were encouraged to insert photos of a man for the punchbag's face.

A picture on the product packaging shows an arrow pointing to a man's groin, saying "kick him here".

Mark Brooks, chairman of The ManKind Initiative, said the fact that Superdrug did not sell a similar product for men indicated that domestic violence against men was more acceptable.

Superdrug responded by saying it would withdraw the boxing sets from its shops and website.

A Superdrug spokeswoman said it would withdraw the product immediately.

"We apologise if any offence has been caused by selling this product; that was never our intention," the Scotsman quoted the spokeswoman, as saying.

Superdrug also said it will donate all profits from previous sales of the Hers Boxing Set to The ManKind Initiative.

ANI