The true effect of online porn: Abuse against schoolgirls soars

By Alex Gangitano

Easy access to pornography on the internet is causing a rise in schoolgirls experiencing sexual abuse, an MP said yesterday.

Ann Coffey said one third of sixth-form girls have been inappropriately touched by a male peer in the form of groping or manhandling.

''[Pornography] gives them a sense of entitlement, which means they may touch a girl inappropriately and use bullying or coercive behaviour,'' the MP said.

Internet pornography was "distorting teenage boys' views of sex," she added.

A YouGov poll by the End Violence Against Women campaign, which surveyed 800 teenagers, found 40% said they have never been taught about the need for sexual consent.

Parliament was told sex education should be part of the school curriculum so schoolgirls know when abuse is taking place.

''To speak out, first children need to feel confident that what is happening to them is wrong and that is why sex and relationship education in schools is so important," Coffey said.

Twenty-eight per cent of surveyed teenagers said they had seen sexual images on mobile phones 'a few times a month or more' at school.

Seventy-one per cent said they heard sexual name-calling 'daily or a few times a week' at school.

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.