Teenage activists demand ban on school uniform in porn
Four 14‑ and 15‑year‑old students are lobbying for new UK law to stop the sexualisation of school uniforms in adult pornography.
Who is behind the campaign?
Four students – Rose, Mae, Aylin and Willow – aged 14 and 15, run the Little Feminist Book Club at their school. The club focuses on reading poems and articles, analysing song lyrics and campaigning on issues that matter to them.
What are they asking for?
The group’s current aim is to ban the depiction of school uniform in pornographic content. They argue that even when the performers are adults, showing school uniforms normalises the sexualisation of school uniforms and turns clothing meant for children into a “sexy” object.
A law scheduled to take effect on 6 November will prohibit pornography that shows sexual activity involving anyone pretending to be under 16. However, the legislation does not outlaw adults dressed as older schoolchildren. The students want this “grey area” removed.
Why does it matter to them?
Members say the issue has become personal. One member no longer wears skirts at all, and the group chose not to wear uniforms when speaking at a Tools for Change event in parliament in July. They cite concerns about being photographed in uniform while advocating the cause.
Mae recalls that at age 12 she saw a TV scene where a female character in a school uniform was used to “turn on a man,” which made her feel uneasy about wearing her own uniform the next day.
Evidence of broader impact
The campaign has attracted a flood of personal stories. Survey data mentioned by the group indicates that one in three girls has been sexually harassed while wearing a school uniform. Older women have recounted being catcalled more when they were school‑aged, and one woman described an assault in the 2000s that was “explicitly because of my school uniform.” A teenager said the number of older men who harass her almost every day is ‘uncountable’.
Political engagement
The students have drafted letters to MPs and charities and launched a petition. They note that a local MP has agreed to pass their handwritten letter to the prime minister and to table an early day motion. Meetings are scheduled with Alex Davies‑Jones, the minister for victims, and with Jess Asato MP and peer Gabby Bertin, who helped amend the crime and policing bill. Their MP suggested amending existing legislation rather than creating a new law, to speed up protection for children.
Next steps
The group urges adults who “vowed to protect us” to back the petition and push for legislative change. They argue that ending the “disgusting practice of sexualising clothes made for children” is essential for children to feel safe in school uniforms.
How to get involved
Readers can submit a response of up to 300 words by email for possible publication in the group’s letters section.
