As a (dreaded) feminist - could someone please tell me why that is considered by our resident ranter to be a compulsory prefix - should I start describing anti feminists as demented damsels?

Anyways, as one of the above feminists, I have long been concerned about the increasing objectification of women both in society and how I sometimes see that reflected here on a forum, in fact I have commented on it more than once here, and still wince when I see casual 'jokes' that objectify women and girls like -

"From: Lizzie Cornish 1 - PM
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 05:02 PM

"Lizzie, I love threepenny bits as well. Especially in the Rhyming slang sense. "She's got a lovely pair of threepennies!!"

Oh, you Boys! ;0) "


As a consequence I was anticipating the much advertised, in the recent week, report commissioned by the Home Office with some interest as there has been a growing concern amongst womens groups in recent years that the Government should take some action to address the growing sexualisation of women in the media and popular culture and should use the opportunity of Violence Against Women strategies to rectify this

As recently as last May, the Home Office was in consultation with the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, as a leading education union, and many other organizations with expertise in the field to look at the issue of ending violence against women and girls


On 25th November, the Home Secretary launched the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

To -

Prevent violence and change attitudes
Provide the necessary support to women and girls
Protect victims of violence


As just one part of this strategy an independent review into the sexualisation of young people, conducted by psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos was also commissioned to examine if there was any evidence for a link between sexualisation and violence.

I'll admit that I was a little surprised at this choice of a psychologist who is familiar face on British and American TV and more usually associated with reality television series, such as Big Brother, Double Cross, My Big Breasts and Me (UK documentary), Celebrity Fit Club

Despite her stated intention that
"I wanted to ensure that this was not an opinion piece, but a review based on real data and academic research which will help generate further debate and inform decisions about how to address these issues going forward."

It is hardly surprising that the Telegraph was quick to undermine some of her argument by jumping on expressions such as

'it is perhaps not too much of a leap to posit' … 'the very real possibility that' etc …

and describe this as the language not of a social scientist, but of a journalist and sum the whole report up as

"it posits a link between that violence and various things that Dr Popadopoulus disapproves of — such as lad mags and airbrushed photographs — in a spurious attempt to either ban them or regulate them on grounds of public safety."

I personally regret that the media - and the OP of this thread - devote so much attention to this single (from an over exposed media favourite) and quite possibly flawed contribution to the Home Office Strategy rather than to other less publicized ones which have received none - I think it hinders rather than helps an equiry I care very deeply about.

End of rant :)