Liverpool student pub crawl with 'pimp' theme criticised Published duration 10 October 2012

A group of female councillors have criticised a student pub crawl due to be held in Liverpool with a "pimps and hoes" fancy dress theme.

The 31 Labour women of Liverpool City Council are calling on local businesses to distance themselves from the event.

Rachael O'Byrne, councillor for Allerton and Hunts Cross, said the theme "perpetuates the objectification and exploitation of women".

Organisers Carnage UK said the theme had been chosen by students in a poll.

'New low'

The event will take place on Saturday.

The brand, owned by Varsity Leisure Group (VLG), said similar events had been taking place in Liverpool since 2003 and this was the sixth time "pimps and hoes" had been selected by students.

A second Carnage UK event taking place in the city this year will focus on a "beauty and the geek" theme.

Ms O'Byrne said: "Themes such as 'pimps and hoes' sexualise women's inequality and create a climate where rape culture is trivialised and indeed actively contributes to upholding it.

"As a city we have a responsibility to tackle, not celebrate, a culture which enables sexual violence against women."

A spokesman for VLG apologised for any offence caused, but added: "This is a fun fancy dress student event and nothing more."

The councillors were ignoring the benefits the event would bring to businesses in the city, he added.

MPs called for a similar event in Sheffield to be scrapped last month.