A 'cheap and damaging' International Women's Day exhibit has been condemned for making Jack the Ripper into a woman.
The London Dungeon changed the name of the infamous murderer to 'Jackie The Ripper' to celebrate the landmark day.
But Refuge, a women's and domestic abuse charity, criticised the dungeon for its controversial decision, MyLondon reports.
The attraction, which draws thousands of tourists every year, asked “was the notorious killer actually a woman? and headed the exhibit “Jack becomes Jackie The Ripper''
It features the story of Mary Pearcey, a convicted murderer who was named a Jack the Ripper "suspect" by author William Stewart in 1939.
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A London Dungeon spokesperson said: “With men often stealing the spotlight when it comes to the ghastly and gory crimes, we wanted to give ladies their dues for International Women’s Day.
“Rather than the usual honouring, we’ve given the day a London Dungeon twist while telling a story that many may never have heard before.”
A release for the event said they are, "challenging all traitors and peasants brave enough to come face to face with femme fatale Mary Pearcey (a real-life suspect in the Jack the Ripper investigation) to see if they can survive the horrors of Whitechapel and escape with their organs intact."
But Kim Manning-Cooper, Refuge head of communications, told MyLondon the exhibit 'trivialises' the murder of women by a serial killer - and the timing couldn't be worse, in the wake of the anniversary of Sarah Everard's death.
She said: “I had to read this statement more than once to check it was real.
“Not only does it trivialise the systematic murder of women by a serial killer, but it makes a mockery of a day that is supposed to be about celebrating women’s achievements.
“In England and Wales 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner, and 1 in 4 women will suffer from domestic abuse at some point in their lifetimes.
“125 women have been murdered by men since Sarah Everard was killed by a serving police officer - just one year ago.
“This cheap marketing stunt uses very damaging language around gender-based violence which we know to have real life consequences.
“Violence against women has never been higher on the public and political agenda and the London Dungeon is deciding to spend International Women’s Day on this.
“It could not be more tone deaf if it tried.”
MET Police Officer Wayne Couzens staged a fake Covid arrest to abduct marketing executive Sarah before raping and killing her in March last year. He was given a whole-life term after pleading guilty in October.
The murder sent shockwaves through the capital and kickstarted a nationwide discussion on women's safety.
Responding to Refuge, a London Dungeon spokesperson said: "Jack the Ripper has been a featured show in the London Dungeon for more than 30 years as part of London's darkest history.
"The introduction of a female actress taking on the role, for one day only, was based on a genuine theory about who 'Jack the Ripper' could have been that we wanted to explore in more depth for visitors.
"Our intention was to give air time to an existing and well-documented theory and was not intended to offend. The London Dungeon apologises sincerely for any offence caused."
On International Women's Day - a global date to celebrate women - London Dungeon plan to “dispel the myths of the fairer sex, and give murderous females the recognition they deserve this International Women’s Day”.
The attraction will feature the story of “femme fatale” Mary Pearcy, detailing how she was convicted of murdering her lover’s wife, Phoebe Hogg, and their child Triggy.
Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer who murdered mainly female prostitutes, in the Spitalfields and Whitechapel area in 1888.
He was known for mutilating their bodies and removed the internal organs of at least three of his victims. The definitive number of victims has never been confirmed, but there are at least five which are widely attributed to him.
Several letters were received by the media and Scotland Yard from individuals purporting to be the murderer.
The name "Jack the Ripper" originated in a letter written by an individual claiming to be the murderer, which was eventually disseminated in the media.
The letter is widely believed to have been a hoax and may have been written by journalists in an attempt to heighten interest in the story.
It's also never been determined how long Jack The Ripper was active for, though the time frame is thought to be between 1888 to 1891.
Mary's crimes put her in the frame as a suspect several decades after her death. She was hanged for her crimes in Newgate Prison on 2 December 23, 1890.
She was considered to be a possible suspect for the Ripper crimes by author William Stewart in 1939.
