MEDIA RELEASE

23 March 2017

Already 10,000 Signatures Calling For Inquiry On Porn

The petition calling on politicians to investigate the public health effects and societal harms of pornography has reached almost 10,000 signatures, with still another week for petitions to be signed.

The petition states: “That an expert panel be appointed to investigate the public health effects and societal harms of pornography to both children and adults, and to make policy recommendations to Parliament."

“Over the past couple of weeks we have seen disturbing examples of increasing sexual aggression and inappropriate sexual behaviour by teenagers, and a national conversation around consent and ‘rape culture’. At the same time, there is increasing consumption and availability of online pornography and sexual violence. It’s time we connected the dots,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ who is sponsoring the petition.

“Research shows that children who are exposed to pornography develop skewed ideas about sex and sexuality, which lead to negative stereotypes of women, sexual activity at a young age, and increased aggression in boys. It also places unacceptable pressure on young girls which leads to eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, depression, and other harms,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“Research shows that men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity. A 2010 meta-analysis of several studies found “an overall significant positive association between pornography use and attitudes supporting violence against women.” The research also is discovering the highly addictive nature of pornography – termed by some as ‘the new drug’.”

“These studies all highlight the extent to which porn is not a private matter to be ignored by the government. It is a public health crisis which needs to be confronted,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“If we want to tackle sexual violence, we must first admit the role that pornography plays and the harm that it does to attitudes and actions.”

The official website is www.porninquiry.nz

YOUTUBE presentation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjmg4IiPCUk

ENDS

© Scoop Media