News
Report on pornography and young people - women's groups respond
24 May 2013
Call for work in schools; and for Government to close the loophole on rape pornography
Responding to the publication today (24 May) of a new report by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on young people and pornography, Holly Dustin, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition & Fiona Elvines of Rape Crisis South London said:
"There should be concern at the highest levels of government that boys are accessing violent and sadistic pornography, and that it is influencing their behaviour and attitudes. Sexual violence towards women and girls is rarely out of the headlines and we know from our own research that sexual harassment and unwanted sexual touching is commonplace amongst young people (1). This does not happen in a vacuum, rather our sexist culture and media provides a conducive context for abuse to occur.
"This report provides further strong evidence of the need for schools to be required to teach young people about sexual consent, and how to deal with pornographic and violent imagery they see online, in music videos, adverts or elsewhere.
“Furthermore, we believe that the government must look at legislation on extreme pornography and close a loophole that allows the lawful possession of simulated images of rape pornography, similar to that viewed by Stuart Hazell."
Yesterday (23 May) the End Violence Against Women Coalition published a new report assessing government policy and practice towards preventing abuse of women and girls.
In the wake of a string of disturbing abuse cases (including the child sexual exploitation trials in Rochdale and Oxford, Jimmy Savile, Stuart Hall, Stuart Hazell), the report, entitled ‘Deeds or Words?’, concludes that, whilst there is good work in some areas of government, in other key areas the Government’s pledge is “virtually meaningless.” Expert contributors to the report, which has been sent to the Prime Minister, awarded the government just 2.5 out of 10 for work in this area.
A new YouGov opinion poll was published alongside the report which found that 86% of UK adults believe that sex and relationships education “which addresses sexual consent and respectful relationships” should be compulsory in secondary schools. Currently it is not.
The poll also found that measures such as training teachers to spot the signs of abuse, proactively tackling sexual bullying and harassment, and prohibiting pornography in schools, are also popular with survey respondents.
Briefing on loophole around images depicting rape in the extreme pornography legislation here.
Notes to Editors:
1. Sexual harassment in schools poll results: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/72/yougov-poll-exposes-high-levels-sexual-harassment-in-schools
