Vulva, vagina, and clitoris – three anatomically correct terms for parts of the female body. Yet, when Danielle Sedgwick (known as Ellie) from Sydney Australia mentioned these words on her body-positive Instagram business page, her entire account was taken down.
‘Instagram accused me of “sexual solicitation,” and within 24 hours, my appeal was denied, and my account was disabled.’
This decision has dismantled four years of dedicated effort in building a small business, which had evolved into a full-time job for Ellie.
Comfortable in my skin is a movement towards empowering people to love the skin they’re in. I hope to help fill the gap in sex education that I believe is missing.
said Ellie on her Change petition page
My active page allowed me to travel across Australia, conducting sold-out body confidence photoshoots, educational events, and even high school Sex Ed classes. Instagram claims to support businesses on its platform, but decisions like this will deter entrepreneurs.
Ellie continued
My account’s removal didn’t just affect me; it impacted an entire community of 67,000 people who relied on my support groups for various conditions, ranging from herpes to postnatal depression. We built a safe space where anyone could discuss taboo topics without fear.”Now, I feel like all my hard work has been undone as if someone pulled the rug from under me. I genuinely believe I did not violate any community guidelines, and my account was wrongly removed by an automated system. I’m not alone in this struggle, and I have started this petition on behalf of everyone impacted by these unfair rules to make a change.