February  9,  2015    Michael  Huseby    CEO  Barnes  &  Noble    122  Fifth  Avenue    New  York,  NY  10011    Re:  2015  Sports  Illustrated  Swimsuit  Edition    Dear  Mr.  Huseby:    

The   National   Center   on   Sexual   Exploitation   has   reviewed   the  cover   of   the   2015   Sports   Illustrated   Swimsuit   Edition   and  urges   that  the   magazine   be   removed   from   public   display,   particularly   the  checkout  line,  and  be  wrapped  like  any  other  pornographic  magazine.    

The   magazine   features   model   Hanna   Davis   pulling   down   her  bikini  bottom  to  reveal  her  pubic  area.  It  is  our  opinion  that  the  cover  it  borders  obscenity,  as  the  focus  is  specifically  on  the  woman’s  exposed  pubic  area.    At  a  minimum,  the  depiction  likely  violates  state  statutes,  commonly  known  as  “harmful  to  minors”  laws,  prohibiting  displays  of  sexually  explicit  material  to  children.    

In   discussing   this   magazine,   hosts   of   such   popular   television  shows   as   Good   Morning   America   and   Today   appropriately   refused  show   the   entire   cover,   blocking   the   lower   portion   to   avoid   offending  viewers.    We  hope  that  you  will  also  avoid  assaulting  your  customers.    Thank  you  for  your  consideration.    Sincerely,      Patrick  A.  Trueman         Dawn  Hawkins  President  &  CEO           Executive  Director  

Defending human dignity. Confronting sexual exploitation.

 

President and CEO

Executive Director

General Counsel

President Emeritus

Former Managing Partner, Conklin Cahill & Co

Ney Professor of Jurisprudence Amherst College

Chairman, Christian Film & Television Commission

McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

Former Aerospace Program Manager/ Industrial Engineer

Neurosurgeon

Director, Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program, University of Pennsylvania

National Regent, Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Managing Director, Rucks Family Foundation

Marriage and Family Therapist

Trial and Appellate Lawyer, Sukhia Law Group, PLC

Former Chief, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, U.S. Department of Justice

Attorney at Law