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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think child sex abuse victims shouldn’t be called prostitutes

131 replies

Notevilstepmother · 19/02/2018 12:46

Following on from the Haiti Oxfam debacle. The BBC has reported that the use of child prostitutes cannot be ruled out.

I think it’s important to distinguish between consent for money (still dubious and creepy in such a situation with vulnerable women) and children being unable to consent. Children are not prostitutes they are child sex abuse victims and should be respected and reported as such.

I’ve complained to the BBC, feel free to do the same.

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:01

Lizzie48

Anyone who thinks that can't be helped by changing the terminology. They're fucking idiots, or they're perpetrators.

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 19/02/2018 14:04

Absolutely agree op.

AdoraBell · 19/02/2018 14:04

YANBU

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:06

Actually penggwynn there's TONS of linguistic and psychology research that language use DOES affect people's thought patterns - why do you think certain words are not used except by bigots and idiots?

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:06

Graphista

I'm not sure. But I don't think we can change the opinions of bigots and idiots by arguing about semantics.

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:13

Not the ones at the extreme ends but people who are simply ignorant, Ill-educated, haven't given a subject much thought - yes - as I say it's a subject that's well researched.

What do you use to formulate and communicate your thoughts, ideas, opinions? Words what do those who seek to change people's minds and beliefs use? Words.

SersioulycanitgetWORSE · 19/02/2018 14:15

Yawn this has beeb racked over a million times. The BBC should know better its not good enough.

Lizzie48 · 19/02/2018 14:18

It's not just about that, @Pengggwn you've no idea of how offensive the term 'child prostitute' is to someone who suffered childhood SA. We want the crime to be called what it actually is, not minimised.

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:22

Lizzie48

You're free to campaign for that, but not to tell me what I have to think. Sorry we can't agree on this issue.

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:23

Graphista

Well, you're entitled to that view. I don't share it, however.

SersioulycanitgetWORSE · 19/02/2018 14:26

Strange comments pengyn. Almost like your picking a fight that isn't there and it's derailing the thread

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:27

SersioulycanitgetWORSE

Hmm
phoenix1973 · 19/02/2018 14:27

Absolutely. Yanbu.

tiredbutFuckIt · 19/02/2018 14:29

aid workers sexually exploiting vulnerable children....sounds different to aid workers using underage prostitutes.

No one tell people what to think tho, a it’s not worth the bother, b no one was anyway c, this is a forum for debate it’s not an actual conversation with one person you know

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:30

aid workers sexually exploiting vulnerable children....sounds different to aid workers using underage prostitutes.

It sounds the same to me. Different words, identical implications.

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:32

Penggwynn every time you post the less I believe you're a teacher.

Not just my opinion but that of highly respected linguistic and psychology experts. Going back to even Greek philosophers.

Pengggwn · 19/02/2018 14:32

Graphista

Thank you for your input.

DreamyMcDreamy · 19/02/2018 14:33

aid workers sexually exploiting vulnerable children....sounds different to aid workers using underage prostitutes.

Yeah, I do think the wording is important here. The first sentence - the words conjure up distress at abused children or it does to right minded people but the second one poo poohs the fact that it's child abuse and seeks to minimise it by saying they're under age prostitutes.
A euphemism for abused children to make it sound better.
It isn't.

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:33

That post somehow comes across as arrogant and patronising

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 19/02/2018 14:36

DH and I had a row about this at the weekend because he didn't believe the women involved were underage. Because almost every single headline called them prostitutes or child prostitutes, rather than children who had been sexually abused.

See also child porn. My absolute pet hate which is guaranteed to get a comment or complaint.

DreamyMcDreamy · 19/02/2018 14:36

That post somehow comes across as arrogant and patronising

Mine, or pengggwyns?

Said it to me too,. A little you're welcome given back.... don't feed it. Grin
Seems to doesn't want any discussion, for some reason.

DreamyMcDreamy · 19/02/2018 14:37

because he didn't believe the women involved were underage. Because almost every single headline called them prostitutes or child prostitutes, rather than children who had been sexually abused.

That's just it, isn't it? Words used can sanitise, or mask truths.

LittleLionMansMummy · 19/02/2018 14:40

Prostitution implies some kind of choice and consent in the matter. Since a child cannot give consent, it should always be referred to as abuse. And rape. Because that is what it is. It is not just a case of linguistics but law.

Yanbu op.

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:42

Penggwynns

Graphista · 19/02/2018 14:44

Yes littlelion - note too NONE of the perpetrators have been described with any negative terms.