BAPRAS backs Changing Faces 'Don't Call Me Freakface' campaign

BAPRAS supports Changing Faces’ ‘Don’t call me Freakface’ campaign which is calling on Mind Candy, the creators of Moshi Monsters, to stop naming characters with derogatory words like ‘Freakface’, which are common terms of abuse towards children with disfigurements. It is also asking Mind Candy to stop using scars, spots and missing eyes to suggest the evil nature of their ‘bad’ characters.

Peter Budny, Chair of the BAPRAS Communications Committee and a consultant plastic surgeon, said:

“We fully support this campaign to challenge negative perceptions of facial disfigurement and scars by stopping the use of offensive terminology to describe toys.

“BAPRAS believes it is unacceptable to perpetuate facial prejudice and legitimate offensive name-calling based on personal appearance. We commend the work of Changing Faces in transforming attitudes and promoting societal acceptance towards people with a facial difference.

“Whilst more work needs to be done to promote ‘face equality’, groundbreaking innovations in plastic surgery are also helping to reconstruct both form and function, thereby enabling a better quality of life and, in some cases, self image for individuals. Sessions at our annual winter scientific meeting this year include pioneering plastic surgery work in paediatric cleft lip and palate repair, ear reconstruction and haemangiomas.

“We hope that this campaign continues to raise awareness of the damaging impact of fuelling facial prejudice and is successful in further promoting positive attitudes and values to the whole spectrum of facial appearance.”

To sign the Changing Faces petition click here