Sexualistation of Young People

2. Introduction
Sexualisation is a growing phenomenon:
from magazines to TV to mobile phones,
sexualised images and messages are
everywhere. Journalists, child advocacy
organisations, parents and psychologists
argue that this is having a damaging
effect on children and young people. 56
This report aims to find out whether
this is really the case, and to explore
the possible links between exposure
to sexualised images and content and
violence against women and girls.
This report was commissioned by the
Home Office Violent Crime Unit as part
of the Together We Can End Violence
Against Women consultation, launched in
early 2009. The consultation called for ‘a
fact-finding review into the sexualisation
of teenage girls’. This, broadly, is the
review’s remit, although evidence relating
to the sexualisation of pre-teenage
children and of boys as well as girls has
also been included. 58
The report begins by summarising the
background to the sexualisation debate
and some of the main theories of how
young people learn and develop. It goes
on to look at the volume and spread of
sexualised images and content by media
channel and at the possible impact this has
on self-esteem, body image, mental health
and personal relationships. It also considers
the possible links between sexualisation
and violence. Finally, the report suggests
58 American Psychological Association Task Force
on the Sexualisation of Girls (2007). Herein
referred to as ‘APA’
recommendations for research, clinical
practice, education and training, policy and
awareness-raising.
It is not the intention of this review to
enter into a theoretical debate on the
precise definition of sexualisation (see
Chapter 4). The evidence gathered
here suggests that the proliferation and
accessibility of sexualised content may be
jeopardising the mental and physical wellbeing
of young people in the UK. Our aim
is to focus attention on the need for a
collaborative approach to safeguarding
young people and promoting a healthy
transition from childhood to adulthood.
This report is concerned primarily with
the rights of the child, and with protecting
the health, well-being and safety of every
child in the UK.
Methodology
The report is based on a critical, thorough
and comprehensive desk-based review
of available data on the sexualisation of
young people. We have drawn on existing
government research and statistics, lobby
group publications and academic journals
in order to build a comprehensive picture.
Stakeholders have also been invited to
submit their views on processes and
structures relating to the sexualisation
of young people and possible links with
violence. Those responding to the call for
evidence included:
Sexualisation of Young People Review
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