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Shocking figures show 1 in
10 - 12 to 13 year olds are worried they are addicted to porn
THE NSPCC's ChildLine service has launched a
campaign to raise awareness and provide advice to young people about the harmful
implications of an over exposure to porn. The move follows the discovery that
nearly 1 in 10, 12 to 13 year olds are worried they are addicted to porn.
A poll of nearly 700, 12 to 13 year olds in the UK also reveals that that 1 in 5 of
those surveyed said they'd seen pornographic images that had shocked or upset
them and 12% admitted to making or having been part of a sexually explicit
video.
The figures form part of a UK wide survey of 2,000 children and young people
aged 11 to 17 which was conducted by One Poll in February 2015. The survey included
233 young people from across the North West. 36% of respondents from the North
West said they'd seen pornographic images that had shocked or upset them and 6%
had made or been part of a sexually explicit video. 35% of young people in the
North West said watching porn made them feel insecure about their own body but
33% thought that watching porn was a normal part of young people's lives.
The ChildLine FAPZ campaign (the Fight Against Porn Zombies) will use a series
of animations looking at the implications of over exposure to porn on both boys
and girls. The animations then link to a range of information and advice, to
help young people understand the implications associated with replicating
pornographic content in real life situations and to protect them from putting
themselves in potentially risky situations. The campaign is designed for young
people, by young people, who have been at the heart of the creative development
throughout.
One young boy aged between 12 to 15 years old, who contacted the ChildLine base in
Liverpool said:- "My mum caught me masturbating to porn. It was so
embarrassing and things have become really awkward since. I don't think there's
anything wrong with what I was doing because it's a normal part of puberty, but
my mum disagrees. She's been treating me like I'm a terrible person when I'm
not. I don't know what to do. I feel uncomfortable talking to her about the
situation."
Peter Liver, Director of ChildLine said:- "Children of all ages today have
easy access to a wide range of pornography and if we as a society shy away from
talking about this issue, then we are failing the thousands of young people it
is affecting.
We know from the young people who contact ChildLine, that viewing porn is a part
of every day life, and our poll shows that 1 in 5, 12 to 13 year olds think that
watching porn is normal behaviour. However, even more worryingly, they also tell ChildLine that watching porn is making them feel depressed, giving them body
image issues, making them feel pressured to engage in sexual acts they're not
ready for and some even feel they are addicted to porn. Recently, the government announced plans
for children aged 11 upwards to be taught about rape and sexual consent as part
of PSHE in schools. This would include discussion around what they have learnt
from watching pornography. Our campaign clearly compliments this proposal.
Across society, we need to remove the embarrassment and shame that exists around
talking about porn; which is why we are launching this activity and
helping young people to make more informed choices."
Dame Esther Rantzen, the Founder of ChildLine said:- "It is shocking that
children as young as 11 are contacting ChildLine with concerns about porn. Young
people are turning to the internet to learn about sex and relationships. We know
they are frequently stumbling across porn, often unintentionally, and they are
telling us very clearly that this is having a damaging and upsetting effect on
them. Girls in particular have said they feel like they have to look and behave
like porn stars to be liked by boys.
We absolutely have to talk to young people about sex, love, respect and consent
as soon as we feel they are ready, to ensure that they gain a proper perspective
between real life relationships and the fantasy world of porn.
At ChildLine, we always strive to understand the emerging issues children are
facing which is why we have launched this new campaign. We consulted with young
people throughout the creative development, enabling us to identify language
that will engage them and create real impact.
I would encourage any young person who has a question or concern to visit our
new campaign
webpage or to contact
ChildLine on:- 0800 1111. If you do not already know, our counsellors are
here 24/7 to offer free, confidential support and advice."
In 2013/14 a report by the charity ChildWISE revealed the website Pornhub was
named in the top 5 favourite sites by boys aged 11 to 16. Young people post
approximately 18,000 messages regarding exposure to porn on the ChildLine
discussion forums every month. But as some have pointed out, not all
children look at it, but some say they do so they don't stand out as odd! So how
correct the finding are in reality its questionable, but it is a good indication
of problems!
Response to Marston's
Brewery Purchasing Thwaites
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has
issued the following statement about the announcement that Marston's Brewery
Plc, are to purchase Daniel Thwaites PLC. "The Campaign for Real Ale
believes that consumer choice is always reduced when breweries are acquired by
larger operators and we're very concerned about the takeover of Thwaites, a
long-established and respected regional family brewer, by Marston's. While
Marston's has a relatively good history of respecting brewing heritage when it
has previously taken over other breweries, such as Wychwood and Jennings, CAMRA
will be paying close attention to its plans for the Thwaites brands it has just
acquired. We'd urge Marston's to retain a brewing operation in, or near
Blackburn, to preserve the regional brewing history and Thwaites name and just
as importantly, the jobs which the brewery currently provides in this area. We'd
also urge Marston's to ensure that the individual nature and taste of Thwaites'
brands are not diluted and lost as a result of this acquisition." Tom
Stainer, CAMRA Head of Communications. Please email your views and thoughts
about this to our news room at:-
news24@southportreporter.com. |
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Nominations sought for
exceptional individuals from Merseyside
COMMUNITIES across Britain are being
urged to honour 'ordinary' people doing extraordinary things by
nominating them for a new national award.
The British Citizen Awards (BCA) recognises exceptional individuals who work
tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact upon society.
Successfully launched in January this year, the inaugural BCA ceremony saw 28
people honoured at a prestigious ceremony hosted by Baroness Cox at the Palace
of Westminster.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the next round of medal
presentations, which will take place on 9 July 2015, again at the Palace of
Westminster. All BCA recipients receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the
words:- 'For the Good of the Country'. Medalists are also invited to use the
initials BCA after their name.
Medalists in January included, inspirational duo, Charles Callaghan and Donald
Franks, from Merseyside, who were both awarded a Volunteering & Charitable
Giving BCA, presented by actress and presenter, Linda Robson, for together
raising over £300,000 by collecting at football grounds and shopping centre in
all weathers over 15 years, for Liverpool hospice, Jospice.
The British Citizen Awards were launched to honour the incredible
accomplishments of individuals in society who positively impact their
communities. BCAs are awarded twice annually, as are the Queen's Honours, but
these awards only recognise 'everyday' people whose achievements may
otherwise be overlooked.
Mike Faulkner, co-founder of the awards, said:- "There are literally
thousands of people across the UK making life better for others, and until now
with no formal recognition open to them. This programme, which many see as
an alternative Honours system, has been created to enable every individual
across the country to nominate someone who they feel deserves to be recognised.
We have nothing, but respect for the Honours system, but believe that a more
accessible recognition programme is long overdue."
Nominations from all corners of the UK, all cultural backgrounds and from all
sectors of the community are being welcomed until the closing deadline on:- 30 April
2015. "Our first award ceremony in January was a phenomenal success, and
it was fantastic to honour individuals who were simply remarkable human beings.
We look forward to honouring more exceptional individuals within our communities
during this next round of awards." Basil Preuveneers, co-found of the awards, said:-
"It is remarkable how many people are positively impacting the lives of those
around them without reward or recognition, and it's fantastic that we can now
celebrate them."
The awards have attracted support from several high-profile ambassadors,
including actress and former EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella, and former
high court judge, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE.
Brooke said:- "The British Citizen Awards are a way to honour ordinary
people who do extraordinary things and I am proud to offer my support. There are
so many wonderful people doing life changing things in our communities and it is
time they were recognised. If you know a person deserving of this award please
nominate them now!"
Dame Linda Dobbs DBE said:- "There are many people in the community who do
significant voluntary and unpaid work without official recognition. It is
important that their efforts are recognised, not only in order that the
volunteers themselves know that their valuable contributions are noted, but
also, in order that others can appreciate their work and, hopefully, feel
encouraged to volunteer themselves. The British Citizen Awards are an excellent
way to shine the spotlight on such kind, caring and selfless people in our
community."
Nominations are free and people can be entered into 1 of 8 different
categories. All nominations will be scrutinised by an independent committee,
with their choices passed on to an assessment panel for final ratification.
Thirty nominees will then be shortlisted to receive an award. To nominate,
email to
request a nomination form, or visit:-
BritishCitizenAwards.Co.UK to find out more. Nominations
close on 30 April 2015.
Royal awards clean up!
STAFF working in the Emergency
Department at the Royal have notched-up a top award for their cleaning, catering
and portering services.
Staff in hospital were judged to have produced:- 'consistently high standards
of work' throughout the year and, as a result, were rewarded the:-
'ISS Facility Services Divisional Team Award: for 2014'.
In total, 10 hospital Trusts were shortlisted for the prize; but it was the
staff at the Royal who managed to scoop the honours.
They showed exceptional performance during recent months even though the level
of patient attendance was at its highest for more than half a decade.
Audrey Reeves, general manager, added:- "This is a real honour to have won
this prestigious award; making us the best hospital for cleaning, portering and
hostess services. We always want the best standards for our patients so winning
this means a great deal. The ISS Emergency Floor team is extremely hard working
under extreme pressure to deliver outstanding service to the patients."
Donna Brown, ISS divisional director, praised the team for their outstanding
patient service delivery, commitment and caring approach. Especially with the
immense pressures they have worked under during an extremely busy year.
Donna Brown added:- "Their dedication to working in partnership with the
Trust is second to none - the teams are great ambassadors for both ISS and the
Royal."
ISS is 1 of the world's largest facility services providers. They provide
organisations of all types, shapes and sizes many facility solutions they might
require.
They are proud to be working in partnership with the Royal Liverpool and
Broadgreen University NHS Trust, supplying all of the healthcare cleaning,
catering and portering services across both of the hospital sites.
Award Success - Members of the ISS emergency floor team of healthcare cleaners,
catering staff and porters. Audrey Reeves holding the 'ISS Facility Services
Divisional Team Award.'
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