UK urged to ban 'racist and sexist' dating instructor who urges men to 'just grab' girls
More than 76,000 people have signed an online petition urging the UK Home Office to refuse entry to a so-called 'pick-up artist' accused of violent and abusive tactics such as threatening women with weapons and forcibly pushing their heads into his crotch.
His controversial techniques also allegedly include threatening to commit suicide, injuring pets, isolating women from friends and family and treating them "like servants".
According to the Change.org petition, Julien Blanc – an instructor for US-based Real Social Dynamics – is due to conduct a seminar in the UK, just days after being kicked out of Australia for the content of his talks.
A video published online shows him conducting one such seminar, urging men in the audience not to bother being ‘polite’ to Japanese women – but just to “grab girls and shove their head” into their crotch.
“At least in Tokyo, if you’re a white male, you can do what you want,” he said, to laughter from the group.
The speech is also littered with apparently racist content, saying the girls will be happy with the situation as long as you “yell Pikachu, or Pokemon or Tamagotchi or something” and mocking their accents.
His website, PimpingMyGame.com, boasts about his ability to “manage [a girl’s] expectations” to allow men to cheat, and how other men “would go to jail” for the things he says.
Meanwhile, images posted by the #TakeDownJulienBlanc social media campaign appear to show him sharing tips on using emotional abuse, financial control and even physical threats to get a girl. He is also accused of leading a social media campaign called #ChokingGirlsAllAroundTheWorld, featuring graphic images of him with his hands around women's throats.
The Change.org petition claims he is due to perform in the UK on November 21 - though the RSD free tour site says November 27 - and appeals to Home Secretary Theresa May to deny him entry to the country.
A Home Office spokesman said they were aware of the petition, adding:
A similar petition has also been launched in Canada,attracting more than 46,000 signatures.
Blanc was forced to cut his tour of Australia short last week after protests, and left the country several weeks early.
Women’s groups have also spoken out against the organisation.
Sarah Green from the UK’s End Violence Against Women Coalition urged the Home Secretary to listen to the petition - but warned the seminars were indicative of a much deeper problem.
It comes just days after self-styled comedian 'Dapper Laughs' - real name Daniel O'Reilly - had a second series of his ITV show dropped and cancelled his tour after a nationwide backlash against his act, which included telling a woman in the audience at one show that she was "gagging for a rape".
ITV News has contacted both Blanc and Real Social Dynamics for comment.