Underage sex considered 'normal part of growing up', report warns

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The evidence from recent serious case reviews clearly demonstrates that fundamental flaws in professional attitudes towards underage sexual activity have directly contributed to exploitation and abuse,” he said. “Even though the normalisation of underage sex has been identified repeatedly in the serious case reviews as a reason for the complacency of child protection agencies, there is no indication of a willingness to address these underlying issues either at the local or the national level.” The report argues that the approach to relationships and sex education in schools, which it says encouraged children to decide for themselves "when they are ready" to embark on a sexual relationship would prove counter-productive, "exposing them to the risk of sexual exploitation". Children, young people and professionals alike all need a clear moral compass in order to safely negotiate the confused and confusing landscape that lies before them.” Commenting on the findings, Professor David Paton of Nottingham University Business School described the report's findings as "utterly damning", writing in the foreword: “With the publication of this report, policymakers and professionals working in sexual health no longer have any excuse to ignore the evidence. "It is of the utmost importance that the government takes the findings of this report seriously and undertakes an urgent review of its approach to confidential sexual health services.” Helen Marshall, chief executive of Brook, meanwhile disputed the report's findings, saying: “We are extremely concerned about the negative arguments made throughout this report linking the two very separate issues of underage sex and child sexual exploitation.