Sex
In all BBC output the portrayal of sex, or the exploration of sexual issues, should be editorially justified and treated with appropriate sensitivity.
Programmes must not portray representations of sexual intercourse, unless there is a serious educational purpose, when broadcast before the Watershed, or when children are particularly likely to be in our audience for radio or in online content likely to appeal to a high proportion of children.
Programmes broadcast pre-Watershed, or when children are particularly likely to be in our radio audience or in online content likely to appeal to a high proportion of children should not portray inappropriate sexual behaviour or contain explicit sexual discussion unless clearly editorially justified.
We should provide support when online interactive areas encourage teenagers to discuss their problems. This could include addresses of a range of relevant web sites or the phone numbers of authoritative helplines.
We must be able to justify the frank and realistic portrayal of sex and the exploration of themes and issues which some people might find offensive in post-Watershed programmes.
The explicit portrayal of sex between children and adults is illegal and should not be depicted at any time on any of our services.