Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
After facing backlash over advertisements connected to child abuse and child pornography, Balenciaga has partnered with a children’s advocacy group.
The National Children’s Alliance (NCA), a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, announced the three-year partnership with Balenciaga and the Kering Foundation on Wednesday.
The program will focus on three main goals: Supporting the National Children Alliance Mental Health Institute in helping children heal from trauma, providing education for Balenciaga about child protection and actions adults can take to promote the safety and well-being of children, and raising public awareness on child abuse and child protection and promoting a happy, healthy childhood.
According to the press release, Balenciaga’s support for the partnership could benefit almost 2,000 child abuse professionals and around 55,000 children receiving mental health care.
Balenciaga President and Chief Executive Officer Cédric Charbit said in a statement: “We were confronted with the reality and magnitude of childhood trauma during our listening tour where we engaged with several leading organizations and experts in the field of childhood trauma.”
He added that Balenciaga is committed to creating a positive and lasting impact on kids and their future through this experience.
NCA serves as the national association and accreditation body for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and serves 386,000 children a year.
The partnership comes following an apology from Balenciaga for two recent controversies involving its advertisements.
“We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign,” the brand said on Instagram. “We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn the abuse of children in any form. We stand for children’s safety and well-being.”
