There is a “really concerning” rise in sexual violence among 14- and 15-year-olds that policymakers need to take “very seriously”, Home Office minister Jess Phillips has told Sky News.
Speaking to Sky News’ Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge, Ms Phillips, who holds the safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG) portfolio, suggested that “generational progression” on feminism and the advancement of women does not appear to be continuing with her sons’ generation.
She said that “what our children are exposed to online absolutely is something that troubles me and troubles the government”, but argued that banning smartphones in schools is not necessarily the answer.
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Asked by Sky’s Sophy Ridge if she is worried about men being radicalised online in relation to how they view women, Ms Phillips replied: “If I look at the data of the growing number of sexual violence cases amongst the age group 14 and 15, as a policymaker, you have to take very seriously the growing number of cases.”
That age group are both the victims in these cases and the perpetrators.
The minister was clear that she is “very alive to not wanting to just make all boys feel like they are the problem”.
Nonetheless, she said it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all possible measures are in place “to look at what is happening with our teenagers and make sure that we are providing the education, and also the protection and prevention”.
‘Generational progression’ has halted
More broadly, Ms Phillips said: “If you look at the data and attitudes around things like feminism and the advancement of women, there are really concerning trends.
“And I think we always thought it would just progressively get better. And it’s no comment on either…
