Pornography, sexual coercion and abuse and sexting in young people's intimate relationships: A European study
Nicky Stanley
University of Central Lancashire
Nicky Stanley is Professor of Social Work and Co-Director of the Connect Centre for International Research on Interpersonal Violence and Harm at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. The Connect Centre undertakes research to prevent and reduce all forms of sexual, gender based and interpersonal violence against adults, children and young people. Nicky has led numerous international and national research studies on children’s and families’ experience of domestic abuse and the service response. She publishes widely and has produced books on domestic violence and child protection, health and social care inquiries and mothers’ mental health needs. She has contributed to national guidelines and policy on domestic violence. Her most recent book is Nicky Stanley and Cathy Humphreys (eds) (2015) Domestic Violence and Protecting Children: New Thinking and Approaches, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between young people's regular viewing of online pornography, sexting (the sending and receiving of sexual images and messages) and sexual coercion and abuse in... [ view full abstract ]
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between young people's regular viewing of online pornography, sexting (the sending and receiving of sexual images and messages) and sexual coercion and abuse in intimate relationships.
Methods: The study was undertaken as part of the STIR study - http://stiritup.eu/ - which surveyed 4,564 young people aged 14-17 in five European countries. In addition to the survey which was completed in schools, 91 interviews were undertaken with young people who had direct experience of interpersonal violence and abuse in their own relationships. Young people's advisory groups in all five countries assisted with the content and wording of the survey.
Results: Rates for regularly viewing online pornography were very much higher among boys and most had chosen to watch pornography. Boys’ perpetration of sexual coercion and abuse was significantly associated with regular viewing of online pornography. Viewing online pornography was also associated with a significantly increased probability of having sent sexual images/messages for boys in nearly all countries. In addition, boys who regularly watched online pornography were significantly more likely to hold negative gender attitudes. The qualitative interviews illustrated that, although sexting is normalised and perceived positively by most young people, it has the potential to reproduce sexist features of pornography such as control and humiliation.
Conclusion: Sex and relationships education should aim to promote a critical understanding of pornography among young people that recognises its abusive and gendered values. Teachers will require specialist training at qualifying and post-qualifying levels if they are to deliver this education effectively.
Authors
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Nicky Stanley
(University of Central Lancashire)
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Christine Barter
(University of Central Lancashire)
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Marsha Wood
(university of Bath)
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Nadia Aghtaie
(university of Bristol)
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Cath Larkins
(University of Central Lancashire)
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Carolina Øverlien
(University of Stockholm)
Topic Area
Domestic Violence: Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle
Session
Oral 14 » Session 1-Domestic Violence (11:00 - Tuesday, 3rd October, Antarctica Room)
