What Beyoncé's new release tells us about sexual objectification

IT is time empower young people with a self-defined and fulfilling sexuality rather than continue to be coy about the age of consent, argues Cliona Saidlear of Rape Crisis Network Ireland

Beyoncé’s new ‘visual’ album is, it has to be said, filthy. In a year that saw many public discussions on culture, sexually objectifying imagery, and sexual violence, it is fitting that the year ended with the release of this album.

In the same week as Beyoncé released her album, the final Cabinet meeing of the year tabled the Labour Party’s policy to lower the age of consent to align with ‘current social practices’, to quote Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.