SURVIVORS of sex trafficking have slammed Netflix's new upcoming show 'Baby' - claiming the streaming giant is normalising child abuse.

"Baby", which goes into production this year, is inspired by a scandal in Rome where teenagers were said to have sold sex to buy designer clothes and mobile phones.

4 It caused shock-waves across Italy when it was revealed teenage girls were being sold for sex, seen here in what is thought to be undercover cop pictures

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In a letter to executives, the survivors accused Netflix of double standards for glamorising sexual exploitation, just weeks after dropping Kevin Spacey following allegations of sexual misconduct.

56 campaigners, social-services providers and survivors signed the letter, and wrote: "There are no 'baby prostitutes' - only sexually abused, exploited and raped children."

Executive Erik Barmack has previously dubbed the eight episode 'Baby' as representative of "edgy" programming, and Netflix has described it as a "fictional coming-of-age story" which will explore "the diverse experiences of Italian teenagers."

4 The scandal took place in the upmarket district of Parioli in Rome Credit: Credit: Valerio Mei / Alamy Stock Photo

4 Netflix has come under fire for producing the new drama based on teen sex trafficking Credit: Getty - Contributor

But Lisa Thompson, Vice President of the US based National Centre on Sexual Exploitation, said: "Netflix recently fired Kevin Spacey ... To turn around and produce a show that glorifies the sex trafficking of minors and dub it 'edgy entertainment' is the height of hypocrisy."

The shocking scandal hit the headlines in 2015, and caused outrage across Italy.

It emerged that at least 50 men had paid for sex with two schoolgirls - including the husband of the granddaughter of Mussolini, who pleaded guilty to being a client.

4 Kevin Spacey was dumped by Netflix from the new series of 'House of Cards' after allegations of his sexual misconduct emerged Credit: Reuters

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The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation has also launched an online petition calling for the series to be axed, and said that any child engaged in commercial sex was by definition a sex trafficking victim.

Thompson added: "If Netflix executives care more about ending sexual exploitation in this #MeToo moment than about profiting from sexually exploitive themes, they will cancel production of this show immediately."

The Sun Online has contacted Netflix for comment.