PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Require that the media refer to sexual abuse victims under 18 as "children"
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.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
48
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 48/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 48/100,000
Background
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.