“I have been treating sexual violence victims and perpetrators for 13 years. I have not treated a single case of sexual violence that did not involve pornography.”
–Dr. Mary Anne Layden, Director of Education at the University of Pennsylvania Health System
Far too many men and women (mostly men) dismiss the idea that pornography is dangerous. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard men rationalize pornography by saying “Its just naked pictures–what’s the harm?” I’ve also heard talking heads assert that “pornography hurts no one.”
Many people simply do not realize that pornography can be just as addictive as any narcotic. Ample research demonstrates how powerfully pornography is involved in shaping attitudes and encouraging behaviors that harm individual users and their families.
Dr. Victor Cline, an expert on sexual addiction (see http://www.ldsr.org/info/drcline.phtml), claims that there is a four-step progression among many who consume pornography:
1. Addiction: Pornography provides a powerful sexual stimulant or aphrodisiac effect, followed by sexual release, most often through masturbation.
2. Escalation: Over time, addicts require more explicit and deviant material to meet their sexual “needs.”
3. Desensitization: What was first perceived as gross, shocking and disturbing, in time becomes common and acceptable.
4. Acting out sexually: There is an increasing tendency to act out behaviors viewed in pornography.
(The National Council on Sexual Addiction Compulsivity estimates that 6-8 percent of Americans are sexual addicts. Seehttp://www.ncsac.org/)
Pornography not only affects our families, but our communities as well. Sexually oriented businesses (SOBs), such as strip clubs and massage parlors, attract crime to communities. In addition, the general content of pornography encourages disrespect for women and the myth that women enjoy forceful sex. Pornography can also serve as a how-to for sex crimes, including rape and the molestation of children.
Land-use studies by the National Law Center for Children & Families (see http://www.nationallawcenter.org/) show evidence of the correlation of adult businesses to crime. For example, in Phoenix neighborhoods where adult businesses were located, the number of sex offenses was 506 percent greater than in areas without such businesses. The number of property crimes was 43 percent greater, and the number of violent crimes, 4 percent greater.
May is “Victims of Pornography Month.” It’s time to get serious about the crime victims who are the wreckage of addictive pornography.
Additional Resources
Dr. Judith Reisman, Author of “Kinsey, Crimes & Consequences”
The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families
Victims of Pornography
Join IFI June 8-10 in Our Effort to Protect Marriage in Illinois at One of Our 3 Summer Galas!
IFI’s fundraising galas will feature Phil Burress, architect of the succesful Ohio Marriage Protection Amendment. Burress’ and the Ohio marriage coalition’s successful campaign is widely credited with drawing pro-family voters to the polls, helping give President Bush an Ohio victory on Election Day.
Proceeds for the galas will go to Illinois Family Institute, helping us achieve our top priority of passing a state constitutional amendment protecting marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Please inform your friends of these events, and thanks for your help:
Wednesday, June 8, 2005: Metro East St. Louis
6:00-8:00 PM – Tickets: $50/person
Thursday, June 9, 2005: Springfield
6:00-8:00 PM – Tickets: $75/person
Friday, June 10, 2005: Columbia Yacht Club (on the deck of the Club Ship Abegweit, overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan) in Chicago
6:30-8:30 PM – Tickets: $100/person
Complimentary Valet Parking Available for this event!
Sponsor Your Pastor!
Please consider sponsoring your pastor for one of the galas so they, too, can hear Phil Burress’ exciting firsthand account of the effort to pass a marriage protection amendment in Ohio. You can sponsor your pastor by calling IFI at 630-790-8370, or sending in your gift to enable him to attend.
Please make your check out to “Illinois Family Institute” and send it to: IFI c/o Erin, 799 Roosevelt Rd., Suite 3-208, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. You can also pay by credit card by calling IFI at 630-790-8370. If you have any questions, ask for Erin, or email her at info@illinoisfamily.org.
Please forward this announcement to your friends and coworkers. For more information, click HERE or call IFI’s office at 630-790-8370.
