As the dust starts to settle following the hotly anticipated release of Fifty Shades Of Grey , the film 's protagonist has responded to criticism that it glorifies and romanticises abuse against women . Speaking in a video interview with Kjersti Flaa for TV2 about criticism that Christian ’ s treatment of her character is abusive , Dakota Johnson , who plays Anastasia Steele , said : ' I think that is an uneducated opinion . 'Maybe because I know more about the BDSM world , so it makes sense to me , but everything that these characters do , they make the decision to do it . ' Scroll down for video . Dakota Johnson , who plays Anastasia Steele , retaliated to criticism that Christian Grey 's treatment of her character is abusive in a new video interview . Domestic violence campaigners in America and the UK called for a boycott of the film when it was released last month because they believed it 'glorified ' and 'romanticised ' abuse against women . The National Center on Sexual Exploitation launched a campaign titled Fifty Shades Is Abuse , which urged people to donate to local women 's shelters instead of buying movie tickets . In London , feminist campaigners , Fifty Shades Is Domestic Abuse , said the novel dangerously romanticises the idea that women can fix broken men . Dakota , left , with Jamie Dornan in the film , and , right , at the Academy Awards , said : 'Maybe because I know more about the BDSM world , so it makes sense to me , but everything that these characters do , they make the decision to do it ' A handful of men and women stood outside the central London premiere in Leicester Square when it was released on Valentine 's Day , unfurling a banner calling Christian Grey ' a rapist ' as stars made their way along the red carpet . Defending the film , she added : 'Christian doesn ’ t abuse Ana . She ’ s not a victim . She ’ s not a sad , weak-minded , passive person . 'She ’ s strong and confident and is exploring her body and her sexuality in a private environment with somebody that she loves . And , you know , it ’ s a movie . ' Ahead of the release of the controversial film , activists called on the public to consider whether they should endorse the movie . Defending the film , Dakota added : 'Christian does n't abuse Ana . She 's not a victim . She ’ s not a sad , weak-minded , passive person ' In London , feminist campaigners , Fifty Shades Is Domestic Abuse , said the novel dangerously romanticises the idea that women can fix broken men and protested at the premier . Natalie Collins , who runs campaign group Fifty Shades Is Domestic Abuse , said the story portrays an abusive relationship . She said that if readers consider Christian Grey 's behaviour out of context , it would appear extremely alarming rather than alluring . She said : 'Is it romantic when somebody tracks your phone , when somebody knows where you live before you tell them , sells your only means of transport , or buys the company you work for ? 'How can you marry that with being romantic ? ' Ms Collins , who is a consultant working to end the abuse of women , said that after reading all three books , she was left 'deeply concerned about the amount of domestic violence that was being romanticised and celebrated ' . She added : 'The thing that I would say to people who are reading the books , who are going to see it , is , if he was n't rich and very attractive , would this behaviour be normal ? ' Domestic violence campaigners in America and the UK called for a boycott of the film when it was released last month because they believed it 'glorified ' and 'romanticised ' abuse against women . The books , written by EL James , follow the sado-masochistic sexual relationship between the two protagonists , Seattle billionaire Christian Grey and demure student Anastasia Steele . Ms Collins said the campaign group were not against the sexual nature of the book but there were other far more worrying themes in the novel . 'We are not against BDSM ( bondage , discipline , sadism and masochism ) , it is the other issues in the books and films which we say glamorise domestic violence . ' I have spoken to people who have said that he ( Christian Grey ) was abused as a child and that is why he is the way he is . 'It is also very dangerous to suggest that people abuse because of their childhood and that women can fix broken men with enough love . '
BDSM was speaking in response to campaigners against the film . Campaigners believed it 'glorified ' and 'romanticised ' abuse against women . BDSM said Ana is 'exploring her sexuality in a private environment '