Updated 10/25/24
Since White Ribbon Against Pornography (WRAP) week started in 1987, thousands of people across the country have participated in tackling the many societal harms of pornography. WRAP Week 2024 runs from October 27th to November 2nd.
The History of WRAP Week
“We care! We count!”
Thirty-four years ago, Norma Norris started a revolution for human dignity with those words.
In 1987, much like today, the world seemed determined to tell us that we were an obscure minority in a society that accepted and endorsed pornography and sexual exploitation.
While sitting in church listening to Pastor Msgr. Francis Glenn lament that the public was indifferent to pornography’s dissemination, including local prosecutors who thought nobody cared about the hardcore pornography being sold in their community, Norma had an epiphany.
Norma looked at the full pews in the church and said, “That can’t be; we’re here and we care!”
She realized that America was wrong in thinking that people were indifferent to pornography. People did care and those people counted.
She recognized that the only reason people thought no one cared was because those who did care were not being heard.
With that thought came the birth of the White Ribbon Against Pornography (WRAP) week—a campaign to give a voice to those opposing pornography. The idea of a simple white ribbon as a symbol of decency came to her. A movement was born!
Norma then worked to organize the first White Ribbon campaign. She made waves with landmark victories. Ribbons were distributed; huge white bows were sent to the Governor and the Attorney General of Pennsylvania; petitions were signed; and a motorcade was organized. The highlight of the campaign was the bulldozing of a closed pornography bookstore.
Since its founding, WRAP week has galvanized the movement in the fight against pornography. From putting up anti-pornography billboards, to organizing anti-pornography motorcades and parades, to rallying dignitaries such as mayors and governors, WRAP week has always helped bring the fight for dignity to center stage.
In fact, WRAP week has even inspired model legislation, ushering in sixteen states to pass a resolution declaring pornography a public health crisis.
The Purpose of WRAP Week
WRAP Week provides an important platform for concerned citizens to raise awareness about the public health harms of pornography.
Pornography has created an unprecedented epidemic of sexual harm. Like other public health issues, individuals may personally experience varying degrees of harm from pornography. However, on the societal scale, it’s clear that the harms of pornography are overwhelming.
Pornography use is correlated to problematic sexual behaviors that can lead to—among other things—addiction, pornography-induced erectile dysfunction, divorce or failed relationships, as well as sexually aggressive and violent behaviors.
Given the pervasiveness of pornography today, it is more vital than ever to raise awareness about the relevant research demonstrating pornography’s harms and the resources available to combat it.
