EU Resolution Addresses Global Concerns on the Harms of Pornography
Europeans push for ban on explicit materials; similar to U.S. laws that are currently not enforced
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2013) –Morality in Media applauds the European Parliament for addressing the global issue of the harmful effects caused by pornography. On Tuesday, the European Parliament will vote on a resolution to ban the advertising of pornographic products and sex tourism. In addition, the resolution calls for research on the impact obscene material has on individuals and the links between child and adult pornography.
Patrick A. Trueman, President of Morality in Media, responded, “It is good to see that the EU is addressing the harms of pornography- which feeds into violence, sex trafficking, addiction and abuse. Law enforcement already knows there is a link between adult and child pornography, but the EU’s call for greater research on these links, as well as the link with sexual violence, is a huge step in this fight.” Trueman is the Former Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section at the U.S. Department of Justice where he supervised the prosecution of child sex crimes, child pornography, and obscenity.
This resolution calls on the EU and member states to take action on its resolution from September 16, 1997 that, according to the resolution, “called for a ban on all forms of pornography in the media and on the advertising of sex tourism.”
Americans have already taken measures to protect against the harms of pornography. The U.S. Congress passed laws, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ban the distribution of hardcore adult pornography (“obscene material”), but U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder disbanded the Obscenity Prosecution Task Force and refuses to initiate any new obscenity cases. It is time to restart the enforcement of obscenity laws to diminish the harmful effects of these materials.”
