NATIONWIDE — Walmart is removing Cosmopolitan magazine from checkout lines at 5,000 stores across the country, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

NCOSE, an organization dedicated to “exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health crisis of pornography,” started a petition online, calling for the removal.

"That's over 5,000 stores where families and individuals will no longer be automatically exposed to Cosmo's hyper-sexualized and degrading article titles that regularly promote pornography, sexting, BDSM, group sex, anal sex, and more, all while marketing toward young teens with Disney star cover models," NCOSE said in a statement.

Walmart spokesperson Meggan Kring released the following statement:

As with all products in our store, we continue to evaluate our assortment and make changes. Walmart will continue to offer Cosmopolitan to customers that wish to purchase the magazine, but it will no longer be located in the checkout aisles. While the move was primarily a business decision, the concerns raised were heard. 

The magazines will still be available for purchase on magazine racks, and before that, had blinders over the magazine at the checkout area. 

NCOSE cites MIT research that demonstrates the link between sexual objectification and the attitudes and behaviors that shape #MeToo culture.

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Food for thought: Is it fair to place blame on a publication aimed at/created by women for the systematic problem with harassment and abuse? Whether you agree or not, the retail giant has honored the request of the organization.