There is nothing particularly new about pornography. But the internet’s all-pervasiveness means it is now far more likely to reach the psychologically vulnerable, and online algorithms can push them further towards darker and sometimes illegal content.The consequences can be dire. Exposure to extreme pornography is now commonly cited as a contributory factor in court cases involving sexual violence.
A report published this week on sexual violence against women adds further to the already compelling evidence of the role played by hard-core pornography in the rising rates of these crimes. The report, commissioned by Women’s Aid, says the majority of freely available pornography on the internet “constitutes sexual violence”. Such material, it suggests, is shaping the attitudes and behaviours of those who consume it.
Scenes of strangulation, verbal degradation and aggression towards women are commonplace on the most popular pornographic sites, with the report also noting the proliferation of content depicting incest, and the ease with which child sexual abuse material can be accessed. It references other research on the easy availability of content filmed and shared without consent, including instances of “upskirting” and rape.
This is an issue which blurs the simplified lines of the culture wars. But it also poses ethical and legal questions that often defy easy answers or consensus about what boundaries society should place on the distribution of this material and on its consumption by both children and adults.
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It should go without saying that the pornography described in the report should not be available to children and that the criminal distribution of illegal material should be prosecuted. Practical measures to achieve these aims have been slow in coming, as regulatory authorities struggle with the challenges of restricting content that is freely available across international borders. Meanwhile, social norms have failed to adapt to the reality that many children have unfettered access to the internet via personal mobile devices. A range of initiatives has been proposed internationally to address these questions. In this State the newly-established Coimisiún na Meán has been charged with addressing them. It remains to be seen how effective it will be.
Personal responsibility, public education, cultural change and stronger regulation all have a part to play in addressing the issue. What is clear, though, is that the current environment is causing serious harm, in particular for women.
Among Women’s Aid’s suggestions is targeting this multi-billion euro industry’s business model. A 2020 New York Times investigation into unlawful content on the Pornhub website led to Visa and Mastercard suspending payment processing for the site. That seems an example well worth exploring further.