Sexualistation of Young People

Sexualisation of Young People Review
84
advertised over 350 vacancies in the adult
entertainment industry, including ones
for topless and semi-nude bar staff. In
allowing this to take place, the government
is promoting the normalisation of these
trades as viable career choices. I therefore
recommend that:
• The government overturns its
decision to allow vacancies for jobs in
the adult entertainment industry to
be advertised by Jobcentre Plus.
4) Research
i) A multi-disciplinary approach to
sexualisation
A multi-disciplinary approach, bringing
together psychology, media studies,
neuroscience and sociology would
help to give a rounded picture of the
various factors and offer a more holistic
understanding of all the variables at play.
I therefore recommend:
• The establishment of a new
academic periodical and an annual
conference series focusing solely on
the topic of sexualisation.
ii) Improving the evidence base
A great deal has already been written
on topics raised in this review, from
newspaper editorials to scholarly journals.
While there is strong preliminary evidence
to support a link between exposure to
sexualised content and unhealthy beliefs
about sex and relationships and attitudes
that support sexual coercion, there is
also a clear need for further research.
I therefore recommend that:
• Funding be made available for
research that will strengthen the
evidence base. There is a particular
need for longitudinal research;
research into the impact of
sexualisation on black and minority
ethnic groups, gay and lesbian
groups and disabled populations; and
carefully designed ethical research
into the impact on child populations.
• Funding for trend research into
teenage relationship abuse and the
frequency of sexual bullying and
abuse.
• Clinical outcome research should be
funded and supported to find the
most effective ways to identify, assess
and work with the perpetrators and
victims of child sexual abuse.
• A detailed examination of media
literacy programmes should be
carried out jointly by the DCSF and
the Department for Culture, Media
and Sport (DCMS).
Specific topics for research could include:
possible links between sexualisation and
child sexual abuse; child pornography and
sex trafficking; the influence of portable
devices on risky behaviour and levels of
exposure to inappropriate content; the
risks faced by younger children and those
with special educational needs online;
the prevalence and impact of ‘sexting’
and cyber-bullying; the changing media
landscape; and public attitudes towards
violence against women and girls.