Content Warning: discussions of rape and domestic violence, semi-graphic retelling of sexual assault, and potentially upsetting “comedic” imagery

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.

Post has been updated.

Twisted Fantasies is an indie studio here in Florida that makes fantasy dildos. Its founder, Naomi, launched the shop during the pandemic. “While searching for more pleasure toys I realized that they look really fun to create and wanted to learn to create my own,” their about page explains. “After much research and trial and error I cracked the code to becoming a full-time cocksmith.”

Many of Twisted Fantasies’ designs are beast-inspired. From textured tongues to winding serpents, their models look like any other fantasy indie’s. At first glance, even their newest toy – a silicone replica of a bottle of alcohol – fits the fantasy vibe. Lots of indie makers have bottle-based designs, offering a body-safe alternative for folks who have spent a little too long eyeing a half-finished bottle of Jack.

But here’s how the product listing pitches this new toy:

To be clear: this is a rape-themed sex toy. Twisted Fantasies isn’t just marketing a sex toy around an incredibly horrific, invasively public court case involving domestic violence and rape. Although that by itself would already be a ghoulish and reprehensible thing to do. Twisted Fantasies specifically themed their toy around rape.

“I just remember being really still, not wanting to move. I remember looking around the room. I remember looking at all the broken bottles, broken glass. And I remember just not wanting to move because I didn’t know […] if the bottle that he had inside me was broken,” Amber Heard recounted last month in court. The incident took place in 2015.

I’m not going to get into the “debate” around this case. I’m a survivor of violence and sexual assault. I’ve spent weeks being bombarded against my will by algorithmically promoted headlines, memes, react videos, and livestreams both capitalizing on and trivializing the horrors of rape and domestic violence. It’s been lucrative for content creators as well as the alt right.

Regardless of whether or not you “believe” that Johnny Depp physically abused Heard (a court-proven fact), the damage that the surrounding internet circus has done to survivors and to survivors’ fights for justice will be felt for decades. The trial is already inspiring other alleged abusers and their fawning stans. It’s already discouraging people from coming forward. Even if you don’t believe Amber Heard, you have to acknowledge the scorched earth around this case.

But where survivors and their advocates see scorched earth, opportunistic, morally bankrupt fucks like Twisted Fantasies see social media clout and money.

When promoting the toy on social media, Twisted Fantasies made sure to load up on relevant hashtags, likely hoping to cash in on stan fervor and Twitter bots.

Dozens (edit: now hundreds) of buyers and even a few peers (shout out to XenoCat Artifacts) called out Twisted Fantasies on Twitter for treating sexual assault as a joke and a money-making venture. The toy was called “tactless,” “distasteful,” “viscerally upsetting,” and – the worst insult of them all – cringe. (If I don’t laugh at something here, I will lay down and not get back up for days. That’s already happened numerous times over this deeply triggering trial.) Abuse survivors begged them to take it down.

Quickly trying to shift the narrative, Twisted Fantasies posted an “apology” text graphic featuring the same eye-searing green as their website. (Brand consistency is crucial even in a crisis, I guess.) “If you find this product triggering we apologize because that is not the intention. We do however stand behind that it is a tongue in cheek way to support Johnny Depp and anyone who is fighting against their abuser.”

Even if this asinine mewling was true, it doesn’t change how disgusting the toy is. You support Johnny Depp, so you’re making a sex toy out of what you believe was a false accusation that was aired to tens of millions of people? Worse, Twisted Fantasies believes Heard’s story was “stolen.” That means they made a sex toy themed around what they believe is a false accusation and someone else’s lived nightmare.

But don’t worry, because 100% of the proceeds go to charities supporting male victims of domestic violence! Oh, wait. No. No, sorry, 100% of the proceeds (and all the barrel-scraping clout) go to Twisted Fantasies.

Cha-ching. Naomi really “cracked the code” on this one.

EDIT 6/10/22: Twisted Fantasies has quietly changed the toy to “Custom Top Shelf Lick-Her Bottle Dildo,” and erased any mention of the trial from the product listing. It now reads “Drink responsibly, pleasure yourself excessively.”

They have been radio silent on social media except to like a single supportive tweet thanking them for “standing strong and deciding to create art in the face adversity and taking a stand against domestic abuse. Don’t listen to what these people are saying.”

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If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.