Cherrykitten, a brand known for provocative slogans, has sparked controversy by selling T-shirts with the slogan “I Am Jane Doe” in support of the Cornell Seven, a case involving alleged sexual assault at Cornell University. The company faced backlash for only donating 5% of net sales to a women's charity, with many accusing them of tastelessly profiting from a sensitive issue.

Amidst the outcry, other vendors on Amazon, Etsy and Redbubble are also capitalizing on the #IAmJaneDoe movement, selling a wide range of merchandise including sweatshirts, mugs, and bumper stickers. One seller, an assault survivor, explains her motives, saying she wanted to ‘stand with’ the victim and ‘see her, believe her, and support her’.

However, there are ethical concerns around commodifying social movements for profit. Simintha Esson from RAINN advises that if financial support is truly the goal, people should give to established organizations like RAINN, which has seen a 73% increase in calls for help. The website I Am Jane Doe Merch is particularly questionable, selling items that may not benefit the victim directly, and not being affiliated with Jane Doe's legal team.

The ease of mass-produced print-on-demand goods on platforms like Etsy and the rapid cycle of merchandising based on current events highlights the need for consumers to scrutinize the motives behind such products. Suni wonders if we’re simply turning someone’s suffering into a fleeting trend, or if there’s genuine support behind the slogans.