P099. Revisiting the Porn Wars: The neglected question of whether consuming legal pornography may lead to consuming illegal pornography

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

The war is over, at least when it comes to the question of pornography. There was a time when anti-pornography and pro-pornography feminists were engaged in controversial debates on the nature and effects of sexually explicit content. Today, pornography is more accessible than ever before, however, there appears not to be much interest in re-opening a general discussion on the topic.

Instead, we can see a focus on specific aspects and forms of sexual content, which are considered particularly problematic. Regarding legislative efforts, there is development towards criminalizing behaviour which targets an identifiable victim, namely the non-consensual sharing or creating of sexually explicit imagery of a real person. This is certainly important, but it leaves the structural question of the effects of the increased availability of (legal) pornography unaddressed. The age-old question is whether consumption of pornography increases, at least for some, the likelihood of committing acts of sexual aggression. Traditionally, the question has been asked whether such consumption leads to sexual violence ‘in real life’, and research here remains largely inconclusive. A somewhat more narrow question remains surprisingly neglected, namely to what extent the consumption of legal pornography may lead to an escalation towards illegal content, such as child abuse material and non-consensual material. Reasons for re-opening such a discussion on the effects of pornography are provided as part of this poster presentation.

Author

• Nils Victor Langensteiner, Luxembourg University