Generation Sext – Why has the sending of intimate images become so prevalent amongst our children and young people?
WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL 2016
COSLA CONFERENCE CENTRE, CENTRAL EDINBURGH
HALF-DAY CONFERENCE
Event Outline
This half-day training conference will explore:
- Body image, self esteem and its impact on behaviour
- The sexting culture – what the evidence tells us
- The dangers and impact of sharing sexually explicit images
- Effective responses and strategies for minimising the risks
- Good practice and good guidance
- Key learnings and next steps
The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Bill, has attracted much media attention, predominantly for its focus on so called “revenge p0rn” – the sharing of explicit images by ex-partners. But the issue of social media and mobile technology as a platform to exchange these kind of images voluntarily amongst children and young people is far more pervading.
Recent research – including the SPIRTO and STIR projects – has highlighted that the sending of nude selfies is now one of the most fundamental aspects to many young people’s sexual development, with just under half of UK children surveyed having self-produced sexual images.
What is not so well understood are the underlying reasons for why this has become the case and what the legal and educational landscape looks like in this challenging area.
As young people are now being charged with offences placing them on the sexual offenders register for sharing images of themselves if they happen to be under the age of 16 (with all the long term repercussions that includes), it is essential that those involved in their care and support can effectively guide them through this minefield.
Supported by
Speakers
Joanna Barrett
Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland
Dr Karen Cooper
Researcher in Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh
Dr Rachel Happer
Head of the National Confidential Forum
Elaine Chalmers
Head of ChildLine in Scotland
Tim Parkinson
Professional Officer, Scottish Association of Social Workers
Dr. Diahanne Rhiney
Founder, Diahanne Rhiney Consultancy & Strength With In Me Foundation (S.W.I.M)
Linda Thompson
National Development Officer – Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Women’s Support Project
Janice Stevenson
Development Officer and Domestic Abuse Support Worker (Fearless), LGBT Youth Scotland
Agenda
09:00-09:30 Registration and morning refreshments
Understanding the current culture
09:30-09:40 Chair’s welcome and introduction
Joanna Barrett, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland
09:40-10:10 Body Image, Self Esteem and its Impact on Behaviour
Dr Diahanne Rhiney, Founder, Diahanne Rhiney Consultancy & Strength With In Me Foundation (S.W.I.M)
10:10-10:35 Nude selfies – adolescents and online self-produced images
- Gaining an understanding of the current trend in order that we can guide our children
- Developing evidence-based guidelines for practitioners, parents and carers
- What parents and carers need to know
- Establishing a more consistent, child-centred approach
Dr Karen Cooper, Researcher in Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh
10:35-10:55 Opportunities for questions and discussion
10:55-11:15 Tea and coffee break, opportunities for networking
Responses and the Longer Term
11:15-11:35 Coming of age in a Porn culture
- How our culture has been co-opted by the porn industry to normalise its products and move porn from the margins to the mainstream
- The impact on the relationships and expectations of young people
Linda Thompson, National Development Officer – Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Women’s Support Project
11:35-12:35 Panel and audience discussion: ‘Sexting – the impact, the long term repercussions and the developing responses’
Featuring:
- Joanna Barrett, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland
- Dr Rachel Happer, Head of the National Confidential Forum
- Tim Parkinson, Professional Officer, Scottish Association of Social Workers
- Janice Stevenson, Development Officer and Domestic Abuse Support Worker (Fearless), LGBT Youth Scotland
12:35-12:50 Closing Address – ‘‘Sexting and online safety: learning from children and young people’s experiences”
Elaine Chalmers, Head of ChildLine in Scotland
12:50-13:00 Chair’s round-up and closing remarks
Venue
Hosted by
COSLA Conference Centre
Verity House
19 Haymarket Yards
Edinburgh
EH12 5BH
t: 0131 474 9200
www.cosla.gov.uk/conference_centre