Interesting to see runner's spin on facts.

The relevant Greens policy is:

(The Australian Greens will) "39. introduce a nationally consistent approach to the regulated sale of X-rated material"

Currently, it's perfectly legal for adults to own X-rated material anywhere in Australia (except lately in parts of the NT), but it's only legal to sell it in the ACT. Lots of people apparently like erotica in its various forms, so it's quite a large industry. Obviously, the Eros Foundation - being the industry body - supports the Greens proposed measure to rationalise and regulate this part of the adult sex industry.

runner: "I am sure you are aware that this industry contributes to the child abuse in aboriginal and white communities"

I'm aware that some people have lately attempted to stir up something of a moral panic about child abuse generally - and in the NT in particular - while seeking simplistic solutions to a complex problem that is evident at all levels of Australian society, and always has been.

I'm not aware of any reliable studies that establish a causal link between the availability to adults of pornography and the incidence and/or prevalence of child abuse. If you are, please provide references to them. Clearly, the vast majority of those Australians who legally purchase X-rated material are not child abusers.

Those who object to sexual freedom on religious, moral or ideological grounds are entitled to voice their objections to consensual sexual activities between adults, but they seem to all too frequently resort to spurious inferences and claims that the open expression of adult sexuality somehow leads to the abuse of children.

CJ Morgan,
I have looked through a number of dictionaries for the definition of a term you used to describe a male politician, to find it defined as being “vulgar” in every dictionary.

But everyone knows that women are never abusive, and you would be an example of that, made even more interesting by the fact that you were once a teacher.

JohnJ
If you want to read studies on abuse and domestic violence then there is an international list of over 200 studies here.
http://www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm

The overall results are that females are the perpetrators at the same rates as males, or at higher rates than males.

But of course the manly thing is to believe feminist propaganda, and believe that males are the perpetrators of domestic violence. That belief is now a major reason why in countries such as the US, 40% of children are now believed to be fatherless.

If you look through your factsheet on child abuse, you will also see that the majority of perpetrators are female. Males are the majority of perpetrators of sexual abuse of children, but in states such as QLD, sexual abuse of children only accounts for 5% of known or verified cases of child abuse.

But of course everyone knows that 30% of females will be sexually abused by the time they reach the age of 18.

The instance of seeing so many girls hitting or kicking boys I attribute to the education that girls are now receiving, that tells them that the only forms of violence or abuse are coming from males, and what they do to boys (and later men) is acceptable.

If you read the article, you will find that the author wants to continue or increase that education of girls.

CJ

You might not be aware of any studies that link the pervert industry with child abuse but try finding a sex offender in prison who is not or was not into pornography. One professor for 20 years in human behaviour wrote 'Porn increases the belief that women want to be raped and need to be raped. Porn increases the belief that children enjoy sex with adults. Viewers say, “I’ve seen the smiling children enjoying sex with adults on the internet or in magazines. I know it’s true - I have the pictures branded on my brain.” Deny the obvious CJ. It does not change the facts.

CJ Morgan, not sure if you noticed it but some time ago I posted links to research from the USA that is suggesting a correlation between access to porn and reductions in sexual assault in some age groups. I'll try and find that again and put it back up.

Their results are not conclusive but there was a fairly strong correlation between the states with a high internet takeup (and therefore easier access to porn) and reductions in rates of sexual assault committed by older teenager boys. Other crime rates were not showing similar downturns so it did not appear to be an artifact of increased policing.

That type of indicator will probably be treated with the same concern for facts as the lower teen pregnancy rates in countries with more liberal sexual attitudes compared to more "christain" countries has been treated by those so concerned with facts.

R0bert

I personally believe that there is a lot of evidence that indicates that pornography is very harmful to young men, and their attitudes towards sexuality. It totally disgusts me the amount of pornography that is available on the internet, and the ease at which a person can access it. For years it has been available at petrol stations and now more recently at places like Video Easy & Block Buster. What has happened to morals and family values, and why is it that we allow this toxic pollutant to surround us. If this continues there will be even more incident’s of rape and anti social behaviors. One of the things I find amusing is that pornography has been banned in areas of Australia by the Government, because of child hood abuse in Aboriginal communities. So what is the Government saying it’s not healthy for Aboriginal communities to view pornography, yet the Government does very little about the availability of pornography on the internet. I am aware of a free filter that can be downloaded at no cost. However what use is a filter that can be disabled by a 10year old, by simply re-installing windows or even just restoring the computer to an earlier time. I am a youth worker and have experienced this at the drop in centre that I work for. The Government should set up a server based internet filter through one of the big internet companies. This way all I would need to do is place a secure password, and the filter could do the rest. I personally believe that you should not be able to purchase adult material at the following locations: Video Easy, Block Buster, Retail shops, Petrol Stations etc. Also that it should only be available through Adult shops.

When did this thread become obsessed with pornography?

Why is abuse linked to this? I have seen many "studies" and while it may have an effect on practices, the link to encouraging abuse is tenuous.

Certain standards of what is acceptable are in place across the world, and generally govern what is available. Trying to change this would involve rolling back the internet and other media. The material is probably a result of the change in culture and not the cause of it.

While not a particular fan of the material, I always worry about calls for censorship. There is always the tendency to look at the past with rose tinted glasses and forget what used to happen under the surface because nobody reported it.

It is always tempting for those who are offended to launch a crusade, but rather pick a battle that both makes a diffence and can be won.