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Four Out Of Ten Schoolgirls Suffer "Sexual Coercion"

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When I read this story on the Sky News website today I was horrified. They have reported that in a new survey commissioned by the NSPCC it was found that 40% of schoolgirls in England ages between 13 and 17 had suffered some form of sexual coercion at the hands of their boyfriends.

Most of the girls said that they were pressured into having sex, while some said that they had been raped. It was also found that some were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, including slapping and punching from their boyfriends.

The NSPCC have said that the government need to address this issue:

The levels of victimisation revealed by this research shows action is urgently needed by the Government to make updated sex and relationship education a statutory right for every child and young person.

There needs to be a greater focus in schools on topics such as sexual exploitation and violence against girls and young women, as part of a balanced curriculum.

The high rates of sexual coercion discovered need to be addressed through education and awareness-raising that challenges attitudes and helps change behaviour.

We need to nurture children to have positive relationships based on mutual respect.

I don't have teenage children, so this doesn't immediately affect me, but if I am completely honest it made me feel sick with worry. I have two sons, and the thought that they might end up like the one in five teenage boys who were found have "negative attitudes towards women" is horrifying. If you have a young girl then I imagine reading this story would be even more disturbing.

The NSPCC have said what they want the government to do to address this issue, but my personal opinion is that as a parent I have the greatest responsibility for how my children grow up and their attitudes toward others. I have been thinking carefully about how I can make sure that my children grow up respecting others, and perhaps by the time they hit the teenage years the damage will have been done if I don't start now.

So what do you think about this news report? Is it down to parents to teach respect for others, or does the school system have a role to play here? And how can the government help? Let us know your thoughts over on our Facebook page.

If your children have been affected in any way they can get advice, help and support from Childline on 0800 1111. The website also offers lots of advice on for teenagers about relationships. For parents there's lots of help and information available online from the NSPCC.

TOPICS:   Community Favourites

1 comment

  • Gunnerstorm
    This isn't shocking, I expected this to be honest. The UK have adults who have very little life skills, have their own mental illnesses, no idea how to plan for a family, no idea how to bring up kids in a calm and caring environment or how to behave around them, no idea how to protect themselves financially in a country that is making it difficult to do so aswell, or financially afford to bring up children in many ways. Therefore some adults are selfish and self-infatuated individuals who tied themselves into a marriage out of desperation to be secure and with the wrong partner who isn't fit or good hearted enough to be a parent. They later go on to divorce and seperate as a result and force children to observe a very destructive marriage. They carry their own opinions on what is best for their child and do not realise it is them who is a problem not their child who has grown up scarred and needing counselling for life. To put it bluntly, parents are to blame because of their grandparents and their great grandparents etc etc. Schools should do alot more to help a family who is causing psychological scarring at home, a child is dependant on schools to help record evidence and reveal to the parents what they are doing wrong before it gets worse. If a teacher can see a particular child doesn't behave or look well that is the 1st indication. If a child from early age is encouraged to talk about their family it will help the family improve and the school will be more personalised. If a child sees verbal or physical abuse the parents need to be held accountable for it whether its on the internet, on TV or in their own house. The school is a 2nd home to a child, they should feel safe enough to reveal all with without fearing their parents. If a child has been subject to threats from their parents then it is a very difficult situation and one which can then be referred to social services and dealt with. As for blaming boys, girls are sexually active earlier in puberty, they are more likely to be promiscuous and lead boys on to things they may have not wanted or the boy (i've experienced this myself and when I've rejected many girls before puberty i've found myself victimised as they lack the ability to accept rejection, engage in bullish tactics by involving friends and gossip). So in truth, it is no wonder boys resort to retaliation. Where do girls learn this from? the mother perhaps? It's infectious don't you think, the passing of behaviours from generations. The reality is that girls and boys both lack relationship skills and their behaviours can offend each other as their minds work differently, they have very little understanding of how to treat each other or act around each other. Boys and girls aren't taught how to control sexual energy and how to respond to it, they are taught simple sex education from a scientific/biological view and not emotional or pyschological. Instead of learning by experience, kids should understand behaviour traits and the way girls and boys have conversations or respond to particular phrases, even facial expressions and flirtatious gestures. They should also be taught to value the person's mind instead of observing just their physical features so they are not drawn to one mostly. Also they should learn to reject behaviours that they picked up from their parents and realise why certain behaviours are wrong. The way to put a stop to the way parents controlling and manipulating their children, if a child continues to show a particular behaviour trait a school should record it and punish the parents by making them attend classes after school. Religion must also be limited as it plays a very negative part in childhood and is actually unneeded. Finally this article is sexist, it blames boys for parental upbringing and does not focus on the parent's inadequacies or the way in which girls make decisions and behave. If 4 out of 10 girls are suffering coercion, it means those 4 have problems aswell. The article has not explained why those 4 were abused by boys, just put simply. This society is such that it blames everyone but themselves, maybe we all should start to blame ourselves and realise we are the problem so that we can learn from them. I am lucky not to be a parent or married but I will look for a partner who I believe can offer the best for my children and also me so that they grow up and carry the same positivity with their future families. I realise this task is difficult as i live in the society my future partner lives and probably has negative behaviours from it. I too may have some negative behaviours or attitudes but atleast I accept I need to work out how to be a good parent instead rushing head first into it. Parenting is about learning what to do for the next 18yrs! not the first 2-3yrs! Also if an adult is immature and not fit to be one, they shouldn't be a parent at all, that itself is a problem within society (not being able to control women who ultimately have the power to concieve even if single - sperm banks)!
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