Require that the media refer to sexual abuse victims under 18 as "children"

Require that the media refer to sexual abuse victims under 18 as "children" — 63 signatures. Status: open.

Petition background

Media outlets can refer to victims of sexual offences under 18 as “young women”. We feel this language is inaccurate, risks minimising child sexual abuse, and conflicts with safeguarding and child protection principles.

Additional details

We ask the Government to require accurate, child-appropriate terminology in media reporting. In UK law, anyone under 18 is a child. Referring to children as adults in reporting on sexual offences can distort public understanding of these crimes and undermine child protection and safeguarding. Anyone who is a child and a victim should be reported as a child. Not a young adult. Not a young woman. Not a young man. A child.

View this petition on the official UK Parliament website

Other UK Parliament petitions

Hold a referendum to bring the water industry into public ownership — 208,791 signatures
Legislate to ban FPNs and prosecutions related to school attendance — 133,399 signatures
Hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks — 122,492 signatures
Change surrogacy law to recognise intended parents from birth — 113,153 signatures
Support the Ceramics Industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills — 110,984 signatures
Remove sentence reductions for guilty pleas in controlling and coercive cases — 105,498 signatures
Fund NHS access to Omaveloxolone for patients with Friedreich's Ataxia — 92,048 signatures
Raise the personal tax allowance to £18,000 — 71,262 signatures

Browse UK petitions

UK Petition Tracker home