Statement by National Center on Sexual Exploitation’s Executive Director, Dawn Hawkins
Washington, DC (March 18, 2015) –Former US Vice President, Dick Cheney’s decision to use the sexually exploitive forum, Playboy, to make a political statement about Obama and racism communicates that he is okay with pornography, sexual exploitation, and does not want to reach women with his message.
Playboy has done more to promote pornography than any other entity in the world. It is responsible in great part for the public health crisis now overwhelming families and society at all levels. Playboy’s introduction into American culture has served to break down social mores, ultimately spawning addictive behaviors, decay of marriage, the increase of child pornography and child predators, the increase of sexual violence, and more demand for trafficked and prostituted women and children.
Is Dick Cheney trying not to be heard? What woman would find his interview in a magazine that profits from the sexual exploitation of women? Cheney’s action says to women, “I’m not talking to you and you’re no more than an object to be gawked at.” Cheney’s choice to give an exclusive interview to an explicit publication further mainstreams pornography usage and fuels the acceptance of the hyper-sexualized, pornified state of our nation. As a former public servant, Cheney must know that Playboy promotes sexual exploitation and is an inappropriate forum to make a statement intended for the general public.
If you would like an interview with Dawn Hawkins, please contact Amanda Smith at (202) 393-7245 or amanda@ncose.com.
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE)
Founded in 1962, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE), formerly Morality in Media (MIM), is the leading national organization dedicated to opposing pornography by highlighting the links to sex trafficking, violence against women, child abuse, and addiction. The organization changed its name to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation early in 2015 to better describe the scope and mission to expose the seamless connection between all forms of sexual exploitation.
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