We have previously exposed major shopping app Wish selling lifelike, child-sized sex dolls marketed for men's sexual use. These products exist to aid users in their fantasies of raping children. 

In Australia, under the Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019, child sex dolls are classified as child pornography material. Possession of a child sex doll is illegal, as is using a carriage service to advertise or solicit them, or using a postal service to send them. 

Despite this, some advocates for child sex dolls claim they could prevent child sexual abuse and encourage their development for paedophilic use. Collective Shout's Campaigns Manager Caitlin Roper responded to these arguments in an essay published last month in Arena magazine, and reprinted in full at ABC Religion and Ethics. 

"Better a robot than a real child": The spurious logic used to justify child sex dolls

By Caitlin Roper

Though highly controversial, child sex dolls are already on the market and have been sold through mainstream online retailers like Amazon and Wish for a number of years. Experts predict child sex robots will be next, and some believe they are already in production.

The highly gendered nature of sex dolls and robots is rarely acknowledged by academic supporters of the products. The vast majority of these dolls and robots are embodied female, typically designed according to pornographic standards. Research indicates that sex-doll owners are overwhelmingly men. Child sex dolls are similarly gendered and modelled on the bodies of prepubescent girls. I am yet to see a male-bodied child doll. Essentially, these products are lifelike material representations of women and girls marketed for men’s sexual use.

Academic proponents of female-bodied sex dolls and robots fail to situate the products within the wider cultural context in which they are produced — one in which gender inequality persists, where male violence against women and children remains a serious global problem, and where women and girls are raped, beaten, abused and prostituted by men. Within an existing system of male dominance and female subordination, female-bodied sex dolls reinforce women’s subordinate status and the sexual objectification of women and girls. Despite this reality, a number of academics encourage the manufacture of these products for men’s sexual use, and some actually herald child sex dolls as a therapeutic treatment for child rapists — an approach that I see as both misguided and irresponsible.

*   *   *

Child-sex-doll advocates claim that childlike dolls will prevent the abuse of actual children. However, there is no assurance that paedophiles who have access to child dolls will use them instead of, and not in addition to, children. There is no evidence for the previously popular idea that men perpetrate sexual violence against women, children and other men due to uncontrollable sexual desire, or because they do not have a sufficient outlet for their urges. Likewise, there is no evidence that child sex dolls will lead to a reduction in the abuse of children.

The argument that child sex dolls could function as a sexual outlet, preventing individuals who would otherwise rape children from doing so, also fails to consider the wider cultural context in which these products are manufactured — a system of institutionalised male dominance, routine sexual objectification of women and a culture that eroticises girls.

Cultural messaging increasingly presents girls as sexually available and appealing. The “Teen” porn genre consistently features on the online pornography aggregator Pornhub’s list of most popular search terms. “Barely Legal” pornography featuring teens with pigtails, flat chests and braces can be purchased in newsagents and petrol stations. G-strings, padded bras and bikini tops, and underwear with sexually suggestive slogans are marketed to pre-teen girls. Advertising material depicts girls in sexualised and adultified ways. Schoolgirls are fetishised, and sexy-schoolgirl costumes are sold in mainstream retailers. Instagram routinely hosts sexualised content of underage girls and comment responses from predatory men. Major bookstores and online marketplaces have been exposed selling erotic e-books that feature incest and child abuse. Adult retailers sell male masturbators designed to emulate the vaginas of teenage girls — such as the Teenage Dream or Lolita Vibrating Vagina — with promotional material emphasising youth and innocence.

*   *   *

I cannot help but conclude that the academic arguments in support of child sex dolls are baseless, unconvincing and are open to being hijacked by vested interests. They prioritise men’s sexual preferences over the rights of girls. Academic advocates fail to consider the gendered dynamics involved in the production of female-bodied child dolls for adult men’s sexual use, or to situate their development within a cultural context of gender inequality.

If child sex dolls function as advocates claim, they will maintain paedophiles’ sexual urges for children. Rather than encouraging restraint or investing energy into pursuing healthier relationships or sexual practices, child sex dolls enable the realistic fantasy experience of sexually abusing a child.

Child sex dolls and robots do not offer a solution to child sexual abuse. Rather, they detract from meaningful attempts to address an epidemic of child abuse and obscure the cultural drivers that contribute to it, such as male power and the sexualisation of girls. If ending child sexual exploitation is the objective, the answer will never be found in legitimising these practices.

Read the full piece here. 

This piece originally appeared in Arena Magazine no. 163 (arena.org.au). 

See also:

No evidence child sex dolls prevent child sexual abuse, says report - Collective Shout

Wish app must stop selling child sex dolls - Collective Shout

[CONTENT WARNING]

Instagram is a haven for child predators and a host to the broadcasting of child sex abuse fantasies. Contrary to corporate claims that there's 'no place' for content that exploits or endangers children, exploitative, graphic and degrading comments directed at underage girls are rampant on the Facebook-owned platform. 

Our campaign partners at National Center on Sexual Exploitation met with Instagram heads last December to discuss the ways Instagram puts children at risk and how child safety on Instagram could be improved. Instagram said that the matter of predatory comments will be investigated.  

Meanwhile, men continue to use Instagram to harass and fetishise little girls. See below for our latest roundup of child sex abuse fantasies and other predatory comments freely broadcast on Instagram. We will continue to expose and call out this predatory behaviour!

Take action today!

Help put pressure on Instagram corporate leaders to stop facilitating behaviours that harm children. Join the Twitter conversation using @collectiveshout #WakeUpInstagram and #InstaPimpsGirls.

See also:

Graphic rape comments fuel #WakeUpInstagram campaign

Insta must act on predators: Collective Shout letter to platform heads

eSafety commissioner backs Collective Shout's call for Instagram overhaul

Melinda Tankard Reist on ABC Radio National discussing the #WakeUpInstagram campaign

‘Sexy girl’: How Instagram allows the offering of young girls as fetishised flesh

Each week we find new evidence that underage girls are at risk from predators on Instagram. We've rounded up some of the worst, recent examples of predatory comments we've come across and shared these below. Some of the comments depict male fantasies for carrying out violent sex abuse acts on little girls.

There should be no room anywhere for these comments, and that's why we are continuing to call on Instagram heads to stop the fetishisation and harassment of little girls that is happening on their platform. Join our campaign and help #WakeUpInstagram to child exploitation. Learn how here.

[CONTENT WARNING]

Join the Twitter conversation by tagging @collectiveshout and using #WakeUpInstagram and #InstaPimpsGirls.

See also:

Insta must act on predators: Collective Shout letter to platform heads

eSafety commissioner backs Collective Shout's call for Instagram overhaul

I was so concerned about porn-themed portrayals of young girls on Instagram I reported to police

Melinda Tankard Reist on ABC Radio National discussing the #WakeUpInstagram campaign

If Instagram can restrict diet products they can stop child sexual exploitation

‘Sexy girl’: How Instagram allows the offering of young girls as fetishised flesh

Tech companies turn a blind eye to child sexual abuse material

1. According to Fox News Facebook stated “Any content that endangers or exploits children is unthinkable and has no place on Instagram. We have policies that prohibit this type of content, and we use proactive technology to find and remove content that poses a risk to children. We’re constantly working on more ways to help prevent this behaviour on our platform.”

But we've found countless comments that have been up on underage girls' photos for up to a year. How is this using "proactive technology"? We've also reported hundreds of comments, many of which have taken weeks to get actioned and often the reply from Instagram is that they do not violate community guidelines. 

These comments here are from 27 weeks ago and 14 weeks ago. Also a comment regarding a topless shoot on a child's picture apparently did not violate Instagram's community guidelines:

Here's an example of comments from a man describing his desire to sexually assault a girl which apparently do not violate Instagram's community guidelines. And another example of a comment that had been up for 54 weeks:

This comment describing the sexual assault of and underage girl had been up for 38 weeks when we found it:

Here is a sample of 100+ comments we found on Instagram on pictures of underage girls:

1. Sexy girl

2. Mmm sexy

3. Delicious

4. Snack

5. Hot little tidbit

6. I can make you scream daddy

7. You can sit down on my legs so that I can get hard

8. Eggplant/squirt emojis signifying penis/sex abuse/masturbation/ejaculation

9. Wow I’d love to spread those legs

10. Cute budding breasts

11. Yummy candy my favourite dessert + emojis signifying penis/sex abuse/masturbation/ejaculation

12. Wanna jump on top of you laying like this

13. I wanna slide in that so bad

14. Beautiful ass out from water

15. Love the pics of you in your cut lil panties. I hope you post more like this.

16. Sit on my face like that

17. Hello I am a young model scout and i am looking for a designer model. If you are interested write me pm

18. Cooling off that hot ass? Nice

19. I wish i could see more of you - send me a picture

20. Sexy pussy

21. So hot n sexy body

22. I want to eat your everything if you don’t mind are you ready

23. Wow body and boobs and facking nice 

24. Such kissable full lips

25. Nice pussy

26. What is your snapchat name

27. Yummmm

28. Let me have porn sex for you

29. Guess you like opening your legs

30. Ooh la la + emojis signifying penis/sex abuse/masturbation/ejaculation

31. Cute little tooshy

32. Why did you have to cut off the best part of the pics. Still so sexy tho. Call me

33. You are so dam yummy babe. When u going to pose in Victoria Secret outfits next

34. Emojis signifying 'horny', penis/sex abuse/masturbation/ejaculation

35. Uff so delicious

36. I want lick

37. Ahhhhh + emojis signifying penis/sex abuse/masturbation/ejaculation

38. Stop cover up your body

39. Imagine what am doing..10 inches n am cumming imaginit

40. Hot wet pants

41. I find it amazingly convenient that a specific area is wet

42. Having that beautiful pair of legs on my shoulders and putting my penis in that beautiful ass

43. Sweet camel toe; young camel toe; awesome lips, very edible and pokable

44. I would love to fuck you SO HARD

45. Fucking cutie be mine

46. Super sexy for such a little girl

47. You have the most ridiculously perfect sweet tender ass cheeks in the world.

48. I want you

49. That is so hot. You just made me …

50. Mmm yummy

51. Beautiful. Super cute in bare feet 

52. Yes now stay like that – rape emojis

53. Double penetration

54. Looks like a fun group of girls. Wonder if they would do a private dance

55. Hot AF, bootylicious

56. Sweet and yummy

57. Mmm hot sexy body

58. I like you beautiful

59. Nice legs

60. Can you do a stretching vid without a skirt on in undies that are way too tight

61. Want you caress and kiss you my love

62. I always love your tight panties. Thanks for the great position

63. Extreme cameltoe

64. Yummy body

65. Can I massage you

66. The view from behind must be amazing

67. I’ll put you on the bed n slowly take all your clothes off

68. Would love to get soapy with you

69. Dam you’re sexy goddam you’re hot

70. Camel toe - squirt emoji

71. Yeah I like to put it – rape emoji

72. Can you jump up and down and make them wobble more plz

73. Beautiful. Nice crotch

74. I wanna slide in that and fill it up

75. Let me suck your toes

76. Hot sexy baby

77. You are so sexy

78. I love you sexy lady

79. Sexy sexy sexy sexual lady

80. You delicious, beautiful to eat

81. Cute butt

82. You’re getting way too sexy little girl

83. Topless shoot would be so erotic

84. Yes love that shorts. When it’s come off baby

85. I’ll take you from the front or back baby..both my sweet little hot box

86. (I like) the front while lying on your back preferably with your legs spread open

87. Lovely cameltoe

88. I know she got a fat lil pussy

89. I bet you look amazing in those (underwear) I hope you show us

90. Ok I’m going out of line - you put it (underwear) on I take it off

91. Great pix - I was trying to imagine with less clothes

92. Panty lines so cute

93. I’d love to do that with you (pic of 2 girls in gymnastics pose)

94. Wow mine would go in so smooth

95. Sit on my face

96. Yummy baby

97. Stretch that labia

98. Are you really 10..Please open your legs

99. I busted a good night to this one

100. Looks like she's getting it ball deep, very hot

101. I masturbated to her

102. I'm hungry for it

103. el dedo en la vagina (the finger in the vagina)

104. I'm in need of a sugar baby that I will spoil with shopping allowance and gift. DM if interested USA only

105. I eat you

106. I pay for meeting you

107. You wear bra?

108. Care to be my sugar baby?

109. She's got legs for dayyyys (pic of 6yo girl)

110. You pose so perfect for tongue workout

111. That is such a naughty look in your eyes

112. So hot be perfect for you to take it

113. One sexy little princess

114. I thought cum in your face

115. I wish I was that pumpkin your sitting on

116. I better start tossing some money at you

117. fancy a drink?

118. Your vagina is little

119. Sexy legs small boobs

120. I wanna lick your pussy and ass

121. Love to taste your butt hole an lick your wet pussy

122. OMG anal licking

123. Let me put my dick in ur asshole

124. Her face after getting a massive cock in her fat pussy

We need to send a strong message to Instagram. Add your name to the letter here. 

See also:

Why is Instagram letting men share sexual fantasies about 7 year old girls?

Help Wake Up Instagram to Child Exploitation!

Instagram a “predator’s paradise”: Collective Shout joins anti sexploitation groups in global campaign

‘Sexy girl’: How Instagram allows the offering of young girls as fetishised flesh

Why does Instagram allow men to tell underage girls they want to rape them? Global call for action to protect minors from predators.

Collective Shout has joined a global campaign calling on Instagram to take urgent action to protect young girls from the predatory behaviours of large numbers of men congregating on their pages. Campaigner Lyn Swanson Kennedy discovered hundreds of comments from men describing sexual acts they wanted to perform on the girls.

Collective Shout has joined forces with the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation (US) and Demand Dignity (Canada) stating that Instagram has become a predator’s paradise and calling on the global picture-posting platform to implement safety measures to protect underage girls.

Kennedy described her shock at coming across large numbers of predatory comments containing descriptions of sexual abuse fantasies even for girls as young as seven - and grooming-style behaviours on the Facebook-owned platform. A 9-year old girl was described as having a ‘fat little p*ssy’ by one man while another described in detail how he would assault her.

“Instagram is providing a platform for men to share their sexually explicit comments about young girls,” Kennedy said

"What we’ve found shows that sexualisation and harassment of underage girls on Instagram is rampant. By giving adults unfettered access to children and facilitating the transmission of sexual comments Instagram is complicit in putting underage girls at risk and normalising them as available for sexual gratification.

“This is a gross act of social irresponsibility and violates socially expected standards of corporate conduct. 

“My colleagues and I are spending a lot of time reporting these comments. Too often Instagram says the sexually explicit comments don’t violate their “community guidelines”. Perhaps it’s time for their board to come up with some new guidelines to protect children?”

We are calling for Instagram to: 

1) Change its settings so that strangers cannot direct message minors.

2) Fix its algorithm to proactively remove sexualising or sexually graphic comments on minor’s photos.

3) Update its reporting system so that if someone is reporting a sexual comment on a minor’s post it can be reported as such. The “harassment/bullying” selection does not capture the fact that these comments come from adults who are grooming/sexualising/harassing a child.

The campaign is being run under the hashtags #WakeUpInstagram and #InstaPimpsGirls. Screenshots and videos of evidence here: https://endsexualexploitation.org/instagram/.

Saturday 23 November 2019

Instagram a “predator’s paradise”:

Collective Shout joins anti sexploitation groups in global campaign

Earlier this year, YouTube came under public scrutiny for its facilitation of pedophile comments and networking in the comment sections of young children—but what we’re seeing on Instagram now is even worse.

We’re finding rampant sex trafficking, child sexual abuse grooming, as well as adult fetishisation of young girls on Instagram.

Collective Shout campaigner Lyn Kennedy said that since July, the movement had collected hundreds of samples of sexual, predatory comments on underage girls’ Instagram posts.

"What we’ve found shows that sexualisation and harassment of underage girls on Instagram is rampant. By giving adults unfettered access to children and facilitating the transmission of sexual comments—including requests for sexual images—from men to girls, Instagram is complicit in putting underage girls at risk and normalising them as available for sexual gratification," Kennedy said.

"If technology and social media companies are going to allow minors on their platform in any capacity, then they must provide adequate measures to keep children safe from sexual predators”. 

That is why Collective Shout has launched an international joint campaign with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (United States) and Defend Dignity (Canada) to call on Instagram to improve its policies!

By failing to protect the children using this social media site, Instagram is complicit in sexual exploitation caused by sex traffickers, predators, and pedophiles on its platform.

Join our international campaign to call on Instagram to make three vital policy improvements:

1) Instagram must change its settings so that strangers cannot direct message minors,

2) Instagram must fix its algorithm to proactively remove sexualising or sexually graphic comments on minor’s photos,

3) Instagram must update its reporting system so that if someone is reporting a sexual comment on a minor’s post it can be reported as such. The “harassment/bullying” selection does not capture the fact that these comments come from adults who are grooming/sexualising/harassing a child.

You can take action in three major ways:

First, you can email Instagram executives here. Fill out the short form and you can send an email directly to Instagram, demanding that they do better to protect minors!

Second, you can learn more and see censored screenshots and videos of proof here.

Third, you can post on social media using #WakeUpInstagram and #InstaPimpsGirls. Remember to tag @Instagram and their head @Mosseri in your post as well, so you can get their attention! Here are some sample tweets you could consider posting:

It's time to #WakeUpInstagram! We need to tell Instagram to fix safety features to stop sex trafficking, child abuse, and pedophile-like comments on minors' photos! #InstaPimpsGirls @Instagram @Mosseri

Minors whose Instagram accounts are set to private can still receive unsolicited direct messages from strangers, which has led to several instances of sex trafficking and child sexual abuse – this must be fixed! #WakeUpInstagram #InstaPimpsGirls @Mosseri

There are countless comments by predatory adults on the photos of minors on Instagram, where they leave sexually graphic comments, sexualize children, or solicit sex from children. Will Instagram fix this? #WakeUpInstagram #InstaPimpsGirls @Mosseri

Thank you for taking action and helping defend children from sexual exploitation online!

Joint international campaign launched by Collective Shout, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (USA) and Defend Dignity (Canada)

Today three anti-sexual exploitation organisations from three countries— Collective Shout (Australia), the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (United States), and Defend Dignity (Canada)—launched a campaign to call out rampant sex trafficking, child sexual abuse grooming, and the fetishisation of underage girls on Instagram.

“Earlier this year, YouTube came under public scrutiny for facilitating pedophile comments and networking in the comment sections of videos featuring young children—but what we’re seeing on Instagram now is even worse.

"It’s time to #WakeUpInstagram and stop a predator’s paradise from flourishing. Instagram needs to prioritise the safety of minors, not the accessibility of minors to adults, on its platform,” said Haley Halverson, Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

Collective Shout campaigner Lyn Kennedy said that since July, the movement had collected hundreds of samples of sexual, predatory comments on underage girls’ Instagram posts.

"What we’ve found shows that sexualisation and harassment of underage girls on Instagram is rampant. By giving adults unfettered access to children and facilitating the transmission of sexual comments—including requests for sexual images—from men to girls, Instagram is complicit in putting underage girls at risk and normalising them as available for sexual gratification," Kennedy said.

"If technology and social media companies are going to allow minors on their platform in any capacity, then they must provide adequate measures to keep children safe from sexual predators”. 

Glendyne Gerrard, Director of Defend Dignity, said that in Canada, social media is one of the most common places for pimps and sex traffickers to lure and recruit victims for sexual exploitation, particularly children. 

"Instagram’s picture-based platform makes it a haven for predators to groom and sexually exploit minors," Gerrard said. 

"Instagram is complicit in these crimes if it does not improve its current policies to better protect children. In partnership with NCOSE and Collective Shout, Defend Dignity calls on Instagram to make it their top corporate priority to protect minors from the risks of being sexually exploited while using their social media platform.” 

The three organisations are calling for Instagram to make three vital policy improvements:

1) Instagram must change its settings so that strangers cannot direct message minors.

2) Instagram must fix its algorithm to proactively remove sexualising or sexually graphic comments on minor’s photos.

3) Instagram must update its reporting system so that if someone is reporting a sexual comment on a minor’s post it can be reported as such. The “harassment/bullying” selection does not capture the fact that these comments come from adults who are grooming/sexualising/harassing a child.

Follow the global campaign on social media using #InstaPimpsGirls and #WakeUpInstagram.

Learn more and view screenshots and videos of evidence here: https://endsexualexploitation.org/instagram/. 

Collective Shout's Caitlin Roper quoted in 10 Daily

The shame is not with young women’s sexuality but with a culture that teaches them that is their only value

Everywhere girls turn they absorb messages which tell them their value and worth is in their sexual allure and their ability to attract sexual attention. 

Messages from media and popular culture tell them that it is baring their flesh and being publicly sexual which bring attention and value.

Young women are being socialised and conditioned to see themselves as sexual service stations for men and boys. Many feel they have to ‘perform’. Sexuality isn’t so much about intimacy or connection but sexual performance. Did he enjoy it? Did he get off? Did she provide PSE, the Porn Star Experience?

Some people with vested interests claim that those of us who are critical of the sexualisation of girls, and who cite a growing body of global literature detailing a raft of negative physical and mental health outcomes, are somehow against the expression of female sexuality. This is a deliberate tactic to try to silence reasoned argument. My colleagues and I experience it most days.

Opponents of our work collapse sexualisation and sexuality as one and the same, when they are not.

We believe girls have the right to healthy sexual development and to knowledge which equips and empowers them to make healthy decisions about sexuality their bodies and relationships. 

But imposing a limited and limited version of sexuality, often inspired by pornified themes and messages and reducing girls to what they can offer sexually,  is not good for them. 

I speak to thousands of girls in schools a year. Many feel pressured to act in highly sexual ways. Many feel they have to give boys what they ask for. Many are engaging in sexual practices they don’t actually like or enjoy, but think they are meant to. Many are experiencing sexual harassment on a daily base. Many are experiencing coerced and unwanted sex which they rarely report. 

Boys receive a message from the culture that girls are up for grabs. They are conditioned to thinking they have a sense of entitlement to the bodies of women and girls. That women and girls exist for their gratification and pleasure. They are reduced to plastic sex dolls with open mouths.

Even primary school aged girls are absorbing and acting out the messages they take in about their bodies and sexuality, which is deeply concerning to their parents, teachers and child development authorities more broadly.

Objecting to the sexualisation of girls is not the same as objecting to sexuality. No one I work with in this area is involved in ‘shaming’ girls for being sexual. I’ve seen it claimed that we do, but there are never any sources to prove it, never any direct quotes. It is a deliberate strategy to try to shut us up.

The shame is not young women’s sexuality, but with a culture that teaches them that is their only value. That nothing else really matters.

Our critique has always been cultural. Dissecting the cultural messages girls get. In my talks I show 200 images from clothing, toys, games, magazines, music video clips, advertising etc which reduce girls to the sum of their sexual parts. The response is significant. Girls start to join the dots and recognise their objectification. Many are rising up in resistance. Collective Shout for example, has many young women in its ranks and is attracting many more who are rejecting the dictates and stereotypes imposed on them by culture. They are encouraging other young women to do the same. They will be the ones who turn this thing around.

See also: 

Growing Up in Pornland: Girls Have Had It with Porn Conditioned Boys

Melinda Tankard Reist a writer, speaker and co-founder of Collective Shout

Yesterday I took two of my children into town for ice cream. This is what they were exposed to on a busy Perth street.

Ad Standards has previously dismissed complaints over this same venue’s ‘Miss Nude’ billboards, on the basis that “based on the location of the building, the audience likely to be frequenting the area are generally customers of the venues and that... this is the relevant audience.”

But the “location of the building” is a busy street in Perth- one with restaurants, ice cream stores, a bookstore, library and Time Zone, and the audience is everyone. Why do sex industry interests trump kids rights? If public spaces include adult venues, do they become off limits to children Ad Standards? Are children not welcome in public spaces?

The harms from everyday exposure to sexually objectifying imagery like this are well-established. With twenty years of empirical research, 135 studies found across 109 publications, there is no shortage of research into the negative effects of sexual objectification. Consistent evidence found that:

"regular, everyday exposure to [sexually objectifying portrayals of women] are directly associated with a range of consequences, including higher levels of body dissatisfaction, greater self-objectification, greater support of sexist beliefs and of adversarial sexual beliefs, and greater tolerance of sexual violence toward women. Moreover, experimental exposure to this content leads both women and men to have a diminished view of women's competence, morality, and humanity."

What is the message being communicated to my daughter about women and girls? What do images like this teach her about how her body should look, where her value lies and who she should aspire to be? What do these images teach my son about what women are for? How does this near constant backdrop of sexist and sexualised images of women’s bodies prepare them for adult life and relationships? This view of women as endlessly sexually available is so normalised and accepted it is routinely broadcast on billboards and shopfront windows and nobody even blinks. How does this perceived acceptance of women as sex objects impact young people’s understanding of women and their place in the world?

Ad Standards consistently allows the sex industry to target children.

This photo of a billboard advertising a strip club was taken from a Brisbane boys school. Ad Standards dismissed complaints, and ruled the strip club ad treated sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitivity to the relevant audience- school children.

Ad Standards gave the green light to Honey B’s strip club billboard outside a school:

Ad Standards allowed sex industry exhibition Sexpo to advertise on school buses, including one emblazoned with the slogan "The most fun you can have with your clothes on" and others complete with URLs to hardcore live-streaming pornography.

Read about our legal victory against Sexpo here. 

A life size poster of this image was located on a busy Adelaide street. Ad Standards ruled this outdoor advertising was not in breach of industry codes and standards because "the image is relevant to the advertised product". The product was women, for men's sexual use.

Our current system of ad industry 'regulation' is broken. The harms of sexualising children are well-established, but the commercial interests of advertisers are time and again prioritised above children's rights and wellbeing. The ad industry was put on notice 8 years ago that they had one last chance to turn things around. The industry has proven that it cannot be trusted to regulate itself. It's time for a change. 

See also:

Ad Watchdog in Australia a dismal failure

25 Reasons Why Ad Industry Self-Regulation is a Disaster

Reclaim public space by reforming our advertising regulation system- Ask Your Candidate