Louisiana family's 'duct tape' Christmas card sparks debate

Louisiana parents Lanie and James Johnson's decision to go for a slightly edgy look to their 2015 Christmas cards hasn't gone down well with a number of people on Facebook.

The image, shared by photographer Hannah Hawkes on her company Facebook page, shows Lanie and her two daughters bound together with Christmas lights, and all three with green duct tape across their mouths.

Meanwhile James holds a sign reading 'peace on earth' while the Johnsons' son gives the camera the thumbs up. Hawkes uploaded the image on December 13 and in a follow-up post two days later she gave an impression of the type of abuse she's suffered in the days since.

"I have been called every name in the book, and have received some very hateful and vulgar comments and messages. I would like to say that as a female I do NOT and have never promoted violence to women," she writes in the post included below, "I do not support abuse, or the degradation of women. My controversial photo was taken by request by the family, and was in no way meant to promote abuse."

Lanie meanwhile, told local press that she got the idea for the picture on Pinterest "We have flipped the negativity, turned it into humor," she said. "We make jokes about it and no one can tell us how to live our lives or what to do."

Alongside some negative responses, examples of which are included below, many have responded to the picture by sharing similar snaps of their own, or of others they've found online.

After being silent, now isn't that ironic, I would like to speak! I have been called every name in the book, and have...