Academic slates review on sexualisation of youth

Dr Petra Boynton, a lecturer in international health services research at a London university and an agony aunt, said the review by Dr Linda Papadopoulos is "not a particularly good piece of research".

Speaking at sex advice charity Brook's annual conference, she said it is difficult to criticise academic reviews without appearing unworried about the subject issue.

"It is public policy-based evidence rather than evidence-based policy," she said of Papadopoulos' review. "It is not critically worked-through."

The review calls for schools to play a bigger role in helping young people understand sexualisation and interpret sexualised imagery.

It also recommends schools should be made to tackle gender inequality and sexual and sexist bullying.

A blog on Boynton's personal website says: "Perhaps due to the sensitive topic focusing on the wellbeing of young people, it seems there has been little attention paid to the content and quality of the consultation or how actionable its recommendations may be."

The theme of the Brook conference was gender, which the charity's chief executive, Simon Blake, told delegates must be placed at the heart of young people's sexual health in order to reduce levels of sexual violence, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

"Gender and a young person's sense of identity are such an important factor in determining hopes and expectations in sex and relationships, and the conference gave professionals the opportunity to debate approaches and strengthen and share knowledge and skills," he said.