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“It is impossible to tackle the embedded behaviours of sexual harassment in schools without talking about the harmful impact pornography is having on children and young people. We are particularly concerned by how many children are telling us they are addicted to porn.”
Helen Roberts, CEO, Dignify
“We find that pornography exposure is widespread and normalised – to the extent children cannot ‘opt-out’. The average age at which children first see pornography is 13. By age nine, 10% had seen pornography, 27% had seen it by age 11 and half of children who had seen pornography had seen it by age 13.”
‘A lot of it is actually just abuse’ Young people and pornography, January 2023
“Sadly, we are hearing from more young people that they are watching pornography and thinking that it is reflective of real life or healthy relationships, which is not the case. This is reflected from what I heard recently from a young person: “Porn is often the starting point for young people when it comes to sex, how to have sex, and what to expect.” – Young woman, 20, first saw pornography aged 10.”
Evidence on pornography’s influence on harmful sexual behaviour among children, May 2023
“It also identifies some worrying omissions: despite clear evidence that pornography plays a destructive role in young people’s understanding of healthy relationships, more than 1 in 3 young people report they still learn nothing about this topic in school, despite being a specific recommendation by Ofsted’s 2021 Report.”
Young People’s RSE Poll 2021
The findings of the 2022/23 Dignify School Report Survey:
· 40% of children have viewed pornography
· Of those who have viewed porn again, 38% of them have gone on to act out what they have seen
Last year the Children’s Commissioner published the second in a series of reports exploring the impact of pornography on children. The report ‘Evidence on pornography’s influence on harmful sexual behaviour among children’ makes recommendations on the importance of robust and effective RSHE surrounding pornography and harmful sexual behaviours.
The increasing prevalence of pornography and nude image sharing in schools is cause for huge concern for those working in the education sector.
With the negative impact of pornography on children’s expectations around bodies, relationships and sex being a big point of discussion. Despite this, a third of children and young people report that they have not been taught around this topic in school. The discussion around gender inequality, misogyny and exposure to pornography has been heightened due to recent news stories concerning the influencer, Andrew Tate.
Join us for this one-day online conference to get insight from leading experts into the current dangers and impact of pornography in schools and support you in the effective delivery of RSHE in this area. With conversation on a range of topics to support you with preventative education, raising awareness, reporting, record keeping, gender inequality and the rise of image sharing. You will come away feeling better equipped to tackling this challenging subject in your school.
Who should attend?
Designated Safeguarding Leads, Deputy DSLs, Pastoral Leads, Headteachers, Assistant Heads, Deputy Heads, PSHE Leads and other senior members of staff with pastoral and safeguarding responsibilities.
This conference will enable you to:
Discuss with peers the increasing challenges surrounding pornography in schools
Understand the dangers surrounding early exposure to pornography and the lasting impact on children’s expectations
Improve on how you teach about the dangers and unrealistic expectations that arise through viewing and sharing of pornography
Address unrealistic expectations around bodies, relationships and sex
Understand your responsibilities with regard to reporting and recording of incidents
Understand the link between gender inequality and exposure to pornography and how this can manifest
Be equipped to take action against misogynistic behaviour and language
Equip yourself with knowledge to tackle the increased prevalence of image sharing
Provide appropriate support for pupils who have been the victim of image sharing
