'It gives us control': rise in women exploring sexual fantasies in middle age

A new generation of sexually adventurous middle-aged women are exploring kink and fantasies without shame, according to the founder of one of the UK's largest sex-positive communities.

- Alexandra Topping

Emma Sayle, who founded Killing Kittens and organises extravagant balls and sex parties for consenting, vetted adults, said there was a growing appetite for sexual adventure among the UK population, but especially among women wanting to concentrate on themselves for a change.

"We find a lot of women are leaving marriages, or their husbands have left, they've had kids and suddenly they're in their late 30s, early 40s, even 50s, going: 'Hang on a minute, it's time for me to be unapologetically selfish and recognise I'm a human being with needs and desires,"" she said.

"I think there's a realisation that you're not on the shelf when you're 40 or 50-you can be 70 and still have a sex life, still go out and experiment and explore and date or try new things sexually."