Statement by Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of NCOSE
California regulators with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) will vote today on new rules that would require performers to use condoms, dental dams, and even eye gear on set. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation applauds this decision and recommends that the regulations be extended to other states as well.
“The porn industry is upset about these regulations, because it would rather make a profit than ensure the health and safety of its performers,” said Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. “Today’s pornography industry flagrantly violates basic safety standards, like the California condom requirement. It’s time to recognize that pornography production is an inherently hazardous and exploitive activity and to hold producers accountable for the health and safety of those they employ. I hope that other states will follow California’s example.”
“Risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease is only the beginning of the many harms pornography performers face on a regular basis,” Hawkins continued. “Grey areas of consent have led to many cases of sexual abuse on porn sets, and several survivors of the porn industry have later spoken out about the deep psychological damage they experienced as a result of their time in pornography. Pornography is sexual exploitation, and it is never healthy or beneficial to those participating in it, whether they get an STD or not.”
