Senate Inquiry - The Sexualisation of Children

STATUS: Completed
Submissions closed on 18 April 2008.
The Committee has not yet handed down its report.
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The Australian Senate is conducting an Inquiry into the sexualisation of children. The Democrats initiated the inquiry in the Senate.

The 'Inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment' is being conducted by the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee.

Democrats Senator Lyn Allison said 'the inquiry would review the effect the viewing or buying of sexualising images and products has on people's attitudes, beliefs, sexuality and mental health'.... It is crucial to proper development that children are free to have a childhood".

Submissions are invited from the public
- the closing date is 18 April.

The Committee has to report to the Senate by 23 June 2008.
Click here for the Inquiry WEBSITE.

Terms of Reference
Click here for the 'terms of reference' (what the Inquiry is looking at).
They are:

The sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment, including radio and television, children's magazines, other print and advertising material and the Internet.
In undertaking the inquiry, the committee, in particular:

1. examine the sources and beneficiaries of premature sexualisation of children in the media;
2. review the evidence on the short- and long-term effects of viewing or buying sexualising and objectifying images and products and their influence on cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, sexuality, attitudes and beliefs; and
3. examine strategies to prevent and/or reduce the sexualisation of children in the media and the effectiveness of different approaches in ameliorating its effects, including the role of school-based sexuality and reproductive health education and change in media and advertising regulation such as the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice and the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.

Media article:
Senate to look at sexualisation of children
Herald Sun, 13/3/2008

Click here for the Democrats campaign on the sexualisation of children.

PLEASE send a submission to the Inquiry. . .

This can be anything from a short letter expressing your concern about sexualised advertising or TV and similar matters.

OR you can write a more detailed submission if you have time and want to express your concerns in more detail.