Image: Jem Stone Yesterday we had two reports concerning the nations sexual health in the news. The Office of the Children's Commissioner for England released the results of its Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG). The Deputy Children's Commissioner, Sue Berelowitz, called the results "chilling."
They are chilling. They are chilling in the same manner that crime thrillers can be, where our hero makes the discovery that makes their blood run cold. They've been working alongside the perpetrator all along. Berelowitz explained: "We have found shocking and profoundly distressing evidence of sexual assault, including rape, being carried out by young people against other children and young people."
They are chilling. They are chilling in the same manner that crime thrillers can be, where our hero makes the discovery that makes their blood run cold. They've been working alongside the perpetrator all along. Berelowitz explained: "We have found shocking and profoundly distressing evidence of sexual assault, including rape, being carried out by young people against other children and young people."
According to the report 42% of suspects in multiple perpetrator rape cases were under 19 in 2008 compared with 38% in 2003/04. The report has revealed children as young as 11 Of course, whatever you think about the official age of criminal responsibility (which is 10 in the UK) and the age of consent there is no question that something is very wrong.
In the CSEGG it mentions the frightening fact that: "There is currently no reliable data on the numbers of sexually exploited children and young people. As it is a 'hidden' problem, figures that do exist are said to underestimate the numbers involved."
In the CSEGG it mentions the frightening fact that: "There is currently no reliable data on the numbers of sexually exploited children and young people. As it is a 'hidden' problem, figures that do exist are said to underestimate the numbers involved."
| Why is all this happening? "A recent review of young people's attitudes to sexual imagery and violence suggested a correlation between young people’s access to images of sexual violence, the 'commercialisation' of sexual imagery and the prevalence of sexual violence amongst children and young people (Papadopoulos 2010). Although the findings of this report have been disputed as poorly evidenced and potentially scaremongering (Smith 2010) they reflect a general concern that too many young 18 people have come to expect sexual violence as a part of a 'normal sexual relationship." | The fact we think our children are more in danger of paedophiles than cars when out playing implies we think of our children as small tempters and tempresses. |
So is it the 'pornification' of culture and easy access to porn that has caused children and young people to exploit each other? I wonder if it isn't so simple. While I understand the argument that specific types of porn might contribute to what the report describes as the normalisation of rape, do we not have enough counter balance. It is not too much to expect of older teenagers and young adults to understand porn is a specialised medium of fantasy. With less orcs. How much does the constant portrayal of relationships in soaps, films and TV shows as a bit of a grind contribute to the idea of sex being the only happiness to be found in a relationship? How little time does the PSHE curriculum spend on consent, enjoyment and health?
And how much of it is children's attitude to each other that is causing or correlating with their behaviour and our attitude to children?
For instance even the fact that the media says 'child porn' rather than 'indecent images' is an indication of perceived complicity. Intended or not. The fact we think our children are more in danger of paedophiles than cars when out playing implies we think of our children as small tempters and tempresses.
In turn an alien species visiting today might infer that the human race can't stop associating sex with everything. Anything. So much so it has become a habit. A little habit that's harmless in the right place, unsociable in public, like picking your nose or constantly touching your infant genitalia (yeah we all had that kid in our class right?) in times of high anxiety. Only there's no teacher to tell you to take your fingers out of your nose and/or pants.
Squeamish Kate
And how much of it is children's attitude to each other that is causing or correlating with their behaviour and our attitude to children?
For instance even the fact that the media says 'child porn' rather than 'indecent images' is an indication of perceived complicity. Intended or not. The fact we think our children are more in danger of paedophiles than cars when out playing implies we think of our children as small tempters and tempresses.
In turn an alien species visiting today might infer that the human race can't stop associating sex with everything. Anything. So much so it has become a habit. A little habit that's harmless in the right place, unsociable in public, like picking your nose or constantly touching your infant genitalia (yeah we all had that kid in our class right?) in times of high anxiety. Only there's no teacher to tell you to take your fingers out of your nose and/or pants.
Squeamish Kate
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