'Fifty Shades of Grey' Accused of Promoting Abuse against Women

A new study says that "Fifty Shades of Grey", the controversial erotic book promotes abuse against women.

The novel, dubbed "mummy porn" has been a topic of debate since its release in 2011. In the latest round of criticism, lead authors of the study, Amy Bonomi and colleagues from the Ohio State University found that the book was actually "perpetuating dangerous abuse patterns against women," including stalking, isolation, and intimidation.

They reached the conclusion after analyzing the novel systematically, particularly the emotional and sexual abuse experienced by Anastasia Steele (22), a college student, during her relationship with Christian Grey, a 28-year-old business man.

For the study, the authors compared the characteristics of abuse defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the kind of abuses suffered by the female protagonist, Steele.

The authors warn that the sexual violence, threats, altered identity and stress depicted in the novel may contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV). Intimate Partner Violence is a term used to refer to the physical, sexual or psychological damage caused by a partner or a spouse. According to Dr. Bonomi, nearly 25 percent of American women are affected by IPV.

"This book is perpetuating dangerous abuse standards and yet it's being cast as this romantic, erotic book for women," Dr. Bonomi, said in a news release. "The erotic content could have been accomplished without the theme of abuse."

The findings have been reported in the Journal of Women's Health.

The book and its author, E.L James has garnered both appreciation and censure for the novel. The best-selling erotic fiction sold over 70 million copies worldwide and has been credited for reviving ailing marriages. This could reportedly cause a 'baby boom' and has already inspired many new parents to name their newborns after the characters of the novel. 

James has earlier been accused of promoting sexual violence through her books. She brushed off all the accusations saying that those who think the books promote domestic violence, "just don't understand BDSM,

The findings come at a time when the novel is getting ready to be adapted into a movie.