Morality in Media Supports Defense Sec. Hagel Anti-Porn Initiative
Removal of Porn, Other Sexually Exploitive Materials Positive First Step
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2013) – Morality in Media wholeheartedly supports the effort announced last week by U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to remove pornography and other sexually exploitive materials from military workspaces, as the U.S. Air Force did in a similar effort last year. Secretary Hagel was responding to a Pentagon survey which estimated that 26,000 people in the armed forces were sexually assaulted last year, up from 19,000 in 2010.
“Research overwhelmingly demonstrates a link between pornography consumption and increased sexual violence and objectification of women. It is no surprise that the Pentagon sees an increase in sexual assaults when it allows the prevalent use of pornography on bases and even allows the sale of pornography in its facilities.“ said Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of Morality In Media.
“The next step for Secretary Hagel should be to order the military to stop selling pornography in military exchanges which would send a strong message that sexual exploitation is unacceptable,” Hawkins said. The Military Honor and Decency Act, prohibits the sale of pornography in military exchange services, commissaries, and ships. Despite this federal law, pornography is commonly sold by the military.
“Pornography teaches sexual exploitation. The Pentagon cannot tolerate and sell pornography and then act surprised at sexually exploitive, criminal behavior in the military,” Hawkins said. “Today’s porn is violent and misogynistic, and inappropriate for the men and women in uniform who represent the highest and best of American citizenry,” Hawkins added.
Earlier this year, MIM listed the Department of Defense in the Dirty Dozen List as one of the top facilitators of pornography in America. “The Pentagon has a serious pornography problem, and it is doing little to combat it. In fact, until Secretary Hagel’s most recent actions, the Pentagon seemed to be embracing pornography,” said Hawkins. “Morality In Media receives a steady stream of comments from servicemen and women and their spouses regarding the widespread availability of pornography in the U.S. Military.”
