Introduce regulations governing media reporting of abuse of women and girls
Abuse, assault and harassment of women and girls is a serious issue, one that has been described as a "national emergency". One in 12 females in the UK are victims, and a staggering 97% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed. Yet media reporting of the issue normalises and trivialises it.
Signatures
170
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 170/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 170/100,000
- 19 MAR 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Allegra Chapman
Background
Regulations must prevent media reports from using incorrect terms that trivialise these crimes. There is no such thing as an "underage woman" - that is a child. "Underage sex" between an adult and a child does not exist - sex with a child is rape. The word "sex" should never be used to describe rape ("sex scandal", "accused of sex with").
This language normalises rape and child abuse, creating a culture where these are minimised and ignored. Laws must enforce correct terminology to clarify the severity of these crimes.