Leeds Beckett academic awarded prestigious fellowship for pioneering work in preventing child sexual abuse

Rhys is the lead of The Sex, Sexualities and Sexual Harm research group - working towards the prevention of sexual harm and to destigmatise consensual, ethical sexualities. They lead work in preventing sexual harm against children, young people and adults. Their research is focused on prevention, healing and justice, with specialist expertise in intersections between human sexuality, power and sexual harm. Rhys leads national and international research in these areas, including most recently a project on interpersonal relationships, power, and abuses of power in online sperm donation.

Dr Rhys Turner-Moore said: "I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as a Public Voices Fellow on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse with the OpEd Project. I am one of twenty people across the globe who has been selected to help shift the media and public narrative towards the idea that child sexual abuse is preventable. I am passionate about preventing sexual harm and The OpEd Project's vision chimes so closely with our vision in the Sex, Sexualities and Sexual Harm research group at Leeds Beckett. A world without sexual harm is achievable and possible and sexual harm is preventable.

"Over the course of the Fellowship, I will be writing and pitching op-eds (opinion pieces) for publication in the media to share this message widely and to discuss how sexual abuse could be prevented. I believe it's vital that we create a more hopeful and empowering narrative and help to bring about change."

Rhys will join other leaders and change-makers at regular events and work with leading journalists and editors throughout the year. Their ideas will help shape not only their fields, but also national and global discourse.