Since the beginning of our movement, we’ve been calling out the sexualisation and objectification of women and girls. We’ve argued that sexualising, objectifying and porn-themed representations of women – particularly when they are normalised, unremarkable and make up the backdrop to our lives – shape attitudes towards women. Essentially, when women are portrayed as sexual objects existing for men’s sexual entertainment and use, this has real-world consequences for women and girls.

A video posted to Twitter featuring comments from a US senator defending child sex abuse dolls has gone viral.

In the video, Kentucky state senator Karen Berg claimed that there was “conclusive” research finding access to child sex abuse dolls could prevent paedophiles sexually abusing children.

This is false. I’ve been researching sex dolls and child sex abuse dolls for years, and I’ve written a book on the topic. “Conclusive” evidence that child sex abuse dolls reduce or prevent sexual abuse does not exist. (And I reject that claim completely.) 🧵

vid - @way2muchJRMC pic.twitter.com/WjIWvoJGis

— Caitlin Roper (@caitlin_roper) March 2, 2024

The video attracted significant negative attention, with the senator issuing a statement in response – and ultimately, voting in support of a motion to outlaw child sex abuse dolls.

So what does the research say about child sex abuse dolls? (Content warning - may be distressing for some readers.)

Adolescents are now the most common perpetrators of child sexual abuse, according to new Australian research published in the International Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect.

As published in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Help us gather data on the prevalence of sexual harassment in schools – so we can work together to address it!

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 was released today.

By Dr Caroline Norma

A report authored by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Australia (CATWA) and Collective Shout.