New report finds links between porn and child-perpetrated sexual abuse

Today (9th May 2023) the Children’s Commissioner for England has published a new report exploring the links between exposure to pornography and harmful sexual behaviours in children.  

Building on an earlier report which illustrated the shocking extent of pornography exposure among children and its harm on their wellbeing, safety, and relationships, the Commissioner’s latest report analysed investigations of children who had abused other children, finding:

• 50% of cases of child sexual abuse perpetrated by another child included words referring to at least one type of sexually violent act commonly seen in pornography
• Children themselves sometimes draw the link between what happened to them, or the harm they caused, and pornography. 

These findings are concerning and reflect what the violence against women and girls sector has long known: that girls and young women are facing sexual harassment and assault on an alarming scale. And despite a damning report from Ofsted almost two years ago, the government has failed to take the urgent action needed to prioritise the prevention of violence against women and girls, and tackle sexual abuse among young people. 

The findings also underscore why it’s so important that the Online Safety Bill does more to protect children and young people, and prevent violence against women and girls. Along with a broad coalition of organisations and experts in child rights and violence against women and girls, we’re calling on the government to mandate a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Code of Practice in the Bill, which would provide tech companies with clear guidelines for understanding VAWG and taking action to prevent it. 

We’re pleased to see the report highlight the importance of quality Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) as part of a whole-school approach to sexual harassment and violence prevention. We’re clear that this must include holding space for open conversations about the issues affecting young people’s lives – which was a top priority for the young people surveyed by both Safe Lives and Sex Education Forum. 

Last month, the End Violence Against Women Coalition joined over 50 specialist organisations in a letter to the Education Minister raising concerns about the upcoming review of the RSHE statutory guidance.

We’re concerned that despite the increasing influence of misogynistic influencers online, and young people increasingly looking to porn to fill the gaps in sex education, rather than providing teachers with much-needed support and resources to hold space for young people to openly discuss these themes, the review risks shutting them down. 

Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said:

“From the media to pornography, how women are depicted has real life consequences. Porn plays a particular role in upholding harmful gendered expectations about sex, not least due to the prevalence and popularity of porn that either constitutes or depicts violence against women. Violent acts are often portrayed as mutually desired by both male and female parties, which normalises this violence.

Young people are at the forefront of technological development and we can’t afford to ignore how porn and online influencers are informing and shaping young people’s views in the absence of quality RSHE that meets their needs.

The government must listen to the Children’s Commissioner and experts in violence against women and finally prioritise preventing sexual abuse among children and young people. This means investing in quality RSHE informed by specialists in violence against women and girls, and introducing a VAWG Code of Practice in the Online Safety Bill.”

ENDS

Media contact

Sinead Geoghegan, Communications Manager media@evaw.org.uk 07960 744 502