Child beauty pageants an 'early sexual exploitation of children' says Senator
A leading children's rights activist is calling for the Irish government to ban child beauty pageants.
It follows France's move yesterday to make it illegal for anyone under 16 to be entered into these competitions
It coincides with a controversial US-themed pageant due to take place in Ireland this weekend.
Senator Jillian Van Turnhout believes these beauty contests are completely wrong.
"I believe that child beauty pageants have no place in Ireland," she said.
"Yesterday the French senate has banned all child beauty pageants and imposed prison sentences
"For me this about an early sexual exploitation of children and I am extremely disappointed to hear that one is proposed to be held this weekend in Ireland, I would ask for it to be cancelled
"We need to protect childhoods."
