sex·u·a·lize (also sexualise British English) /ˈsekʃuəlaɪz/ verb [transitiveT] to make someone or something sexual, especially in a way that is not suitable I worry about the fact that children are sexualized at such a young age.
—sexualization /ˌsekʃuəlaɪˈzeɪʃən $ -lə-/ noun [uncountableU]