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Four in 10 young women in the UK have been sent unsolicited sexual photos

A large number of women say they have received sexual images (Picture: Getty)
A large number of women say they have received sexual images (Picture: Getty)

Four in 10 young women in the UK have been sent unsolicited sexual photos, a poll has revealed.

The survey by YouGov found that 40% of women aged 18 to 34 have received sexual images from someone who wasn’t a romantic partner.

The results follow calls by MPs last month to introduce a new law to criminalise the sending of such images.

These so-called “dick pics” are being sent at an alarming rate.

Overall, one in five (19%) women say they have received unwanted sexual photos, although the prevalence is highest in the 18 to 34 age range.

YouGov surveyed 1,629 adults for its poll, which found that 15% of men had been sent an unsolicited sexual image from someone who wasn’t their partner.

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This rises to a quarter of men (26%) aged 18 to 34.

YouGov’s poll found the vast majority of unsolicited sexual photos are sent by text or social media.

Of those who have received an unrequested image, 62% said it was sent via text message or a messaging service such as Whatsapp.

Four in ten women aged 18 to 34 have received “dick pics” (Picture: PA)
Four in ten women aged 18 to 34 have received “dick pics” (Picture: PA)

One in three (35%) have received a sexual picture on social media (increasing to 48% of women aged between 18 and 34).

In a previous study, YouGov found that 44% of men aged 18-24 had previously broken the law by sending someone a “dick pic” when they were under the age of 18, which is a crime – as is possession of that image for the recipient.

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