{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760070.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":760070,"attributes":{"action":"Require that the media refer to sexual abuse victims under 18 as \"children\"","background":"Media outlets can refer to victims of sexual offences under 18 as “young women”. We feel this language is inaccurate, risks minimising child sexual abuse, and conflicts with safeguarding and child protection principles. ","additional_details":"We ask the Government to require accurate, child-appropriate terminology in media reporting.\r\n\r\nIn UK law, anyone under 18 is a child. Referring to children as adults in reporting on sexual offences can distort public understanding of these crimes and undermine child protection and safeguarding. Anyone who is a child and a victim should be reported as a child. Not a young adult. Not a young woman. Not a young man. A child.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":48,"created_at":"2026-02-05T10:16:14.777Z","updated_at":"2026-04-22T20:08:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-03-16T11:08:16.116Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-05T11:17:20.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Susannah Beavan","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":48}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Bath","ons_code":"E14001080","mp":"Wera Hobhouse MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Brentford and Isleworth","ons_code":"E14001124","mp":"Ruth Cadbury MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bristol 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Leith","ons_code":"S14000079","mp":"Tracy Gilbert MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Glasgow South West","ons_code":"S14000088","mp":"Dr Zubir Ahmed MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Gordon and Buchan","ons_code":"S14000091","mp":"Harriet Cross MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock","ons_code":"S14000107","mp":"Elaine Stewart MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Clwyd North","ons_code":"W07000095","mp":"Gill German MP","signature_count":2}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North East","ons_code":"A","signature_count":1},{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":13},{"name":"East Midlands","ons_code":"E","signature_count":1},{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":2},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":6},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":2},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":5},{"name":"South 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