LIFEalerts – Pornography

Pornography

USA – Credit Card Companies dropped Pornhub because of illegal content

Pornhub scrubbed about 60% of their content after they were exposed for hosting videos of rape, sex and trafficking victims. Visa and MasterCard announced that they would prohibit the use of their cards on the pornography site. Before all this, the site allowed people to upload videos without verification. It was later announced that Pornhub videos went down from 13 million to 4.8 million. Pornhub is infested with child rape videos, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content, and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags. More

UK – Extreme porn has become a gateway drug into child abuse

Michael Sheath, counsellor at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation has been counselling people with what he describes as “deviant sexual interests” for a long time. According to Michael, online child abuse has become a global crisis. Every year child abuse images are rising and every month over 900 children are safeguarded while over 700 men are arrested in connection with indecent images of children. He believes there is a dangerous cultural shift in the profile of offenders, brought about by the enormous change that ever increasing extreme pornography is having on the developing teenage mind. Mainstream pornography sites are changing the thresholds of what is normal and I think it’s dangerous. More

UK – Online incest porn is ‘normalising child abuse

Groups that work on the frontline in the fight against child abuse in the UK have warned that an increase in abuse-themed pornography is “normalising” child abuse. Amanda Naylor is the lead on child sexual abuse and has said “We know that for those who have a sexual interest in children the normalisation and encouragement of [child abuse] can escalate behaviour. ‘Fostered children’ are inherently vulnerable and they are being fetishised here. We already know that some adult offenders find vulnerability sexually motivating.” “…Videos of adults posing as young teenagers being abused by older men are very common on all mainstream sites. “These sites are not set up to be moderate. The people watching it are being enticed into seeking out ever more extreme material and seeing it on a mainstream site such as Pornhub normalises behaviour that 10 years ago would have been considered deviant and extreme,” More

USA – Pandemic boredom: Parents watch increasingly sexualized content with their kids

Due to pandemic boredom, it turns out, many parents have started watching increasingly sexualized content with their younger children. According to Carrie Goodman Melissa Henson, a program director for the Parents Television Council, Hollywood is ignoring the huge demographic of families because they simply aren’t interested in programming for families. It’s disturbing that parents are now watching hyper-sexualized entertainment with their kids, although she suspected this trend has been accelerating for a long time. Most kids these days have TVs in their rooms and are exposed to porn before they reach age 12. This is problematic because scientific research shows that children learn how to eat, speak, respond to situations, and interact with others by watching parents, caregivers and television. It is therefore imperative that children learn from healthy material and good examples in order to behave in the best way possible. Young children can, and will, copy what they see happen on television suggests Michigan State University researchers who tested 120 toddlers that were 14 or 24 months of age. Michigan State University Report, Article reporting on pandemic boredom.

USA – Porn is the top source of ‘sex education’ for young adults

Research done by Emily Rothman, a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, states that young adults between the ages of 18-24, mentioned that pornography was the most-mentioned “helpful” source of information on how to have sex. The findings suggest a need for more education on healthy sexual relationships and on what pornography is about. Prof Rothman is concerned that people could problematically take their information from pornography instead of their parents which would cause them to erroneously assume certain sexual acts which they see on porn sites are going to too elicit a pleasurable response for their partner and then try it without asking for consent. More

USA – Parents Sue EBSCO host because of child pornography

The Thomas More Society filed suit on October 10, 2018 against EBSCO, a nationwide corporation that embeds pornography in databases which it markets to schools for use by unsuspecting school children for their homework and research. In the same suit, the Thomas More Society also sued the Colorado Library Consortium, a tax-supported non-profit corporation that knowingly brokers EBSCO’s pornographic databases to schools and libraries throughout Colorado. This case is about two things: protecting children and calling out corporate deceit, as explained Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Matt Heffron. “EBSCO gets schools to purchase databases by falsely promising the databases are age-appropriate and specifically tailored for elementary, middle, and high school children, Matt explained. More

Philippines – Looking at Ways to Stop the Online Sexual Exploitation Of Children

Yedda Romualdez, a member of the House of Representatives and chairperson of the Committee on the Welfare of Children, expressed alarm over the silent pandemic preying on children. Since the outbreak of the Corona pandemic there has been a sharp increase in sexual exploitation of children and Romualdez called for an investigation into the alarming situation of online exploitation of children in the Philippines. Other means includes strengthening the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009. Data from the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, noted that there were 279,166 cases of online child sex abuse in the Philippines from March 1 to May 24, 2020, compared with 76,561 cases during the same period in 2019. This represented a 264.63% increase in cases, or more than 202,605 incidents. More

Philippines – House bill filed strengthening laws vs online child porn

Fidel Nograles, author of House Bill 7633 (Anti-Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act of 2020), appealed to the Philippine government to strengthen Section 9. This would mean that all Information and Communication Technology Service Providers (ICTSP) will install available technology, program or software to ensure that access to, or transmittal of any form of child pornography be blocked or filtered. ICTSP will also notify the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation within seven (7) days from obtaining facts and circumstances about any form of child pornography they discovered is being committed or has been committed using its server or facility or platform. The Department of Education is also being urged to come up with more effective ways to help children safely cope with distance learning. More

South Africa – Porn exposure warning with Telegram location setting

As many continue to flock to Telegram, abandoning WhatsApp due to concerns about its privacy policy, social media law specialist Emma Sadlier has warned about a Telegram feature which easily exposes children to pornography. This comes after Sadlier discovered that turning on “location” can expose children to inappropriate material such as porn. Parents whose children have downloaded Telegram to ensure that the location is turned off and cannot be turned back on to avoid exposure to such material. “If you go to your Telegram, and you click the people nearby, there are groups nearby and you click any of those groups nearby, there is just crazy porn in all of them. That function gets disabled if you turn off your location features. Other concerns are that pedophiles use this platform and function to lure children into their groups for the purpose of abuse and exploitation. Pedophiles are savvy and now how to lure kids and get them to do what they want. More

LIFEalerts – Pornography

Pornography

South Africa – No child is immune to the dangers online

The East Rand Child Protection (ERCP) Hotline was launched in October this year by Danie van Loggerenberg, the 13th Child Protection Hotline to be established in South Africa. Their goal is to take on any cases of child abuse, bullying or child neglect that can be reported to 071 523 9215. So far 1,000 children have been helped by ERCP and their network. Covid-19 has forced most children to online platforms for school, but at the same time opened them up to an ocean of pedophiles and bullies. One incident involved a 16-year-old boy who raped a 13-year-old girl after threatening to share explicit images of her far and wide. More, even more.

LIFEalerts – Pornography

Pornography

Thailand – Pornhub Has Been Blocked

According to Thailand’s cybercrime laws, internet pornography is illegal, which is why the country recently blocked some 190 websites inside the nation’s borders, preventing citizens from gaining access to them. Thailand has specifically blocked one of the biggest sites called PornHub and other online porn sites.  In recent news was the case of 22 women who were deceived and coerced by Michael Pratt, owner of GirlsDoPorn, into performing sex acts on film that were subsequently uploaded to Pornhub. Pornhub is being accused by hundreds & thousands of people around the globe of complicity in the mass sex trafficking and exploitation of women and girls and profiting from the worst kinds of sexual abuse. Read more here, and here

USA – Ending twin pandemics: COVID-19 and the sexual exploitation of children

Child online exploitation beyond the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an added level of horror for families trying to protect their children from Internet-related harms and parents. Prior to COVID-19, the online sexual exploitation of children was already at pandemic proportions. Online activity has now increased for kids due to virtual learning and an increased time indoors. Parents are concerned about the dangers associated with the use of digital tools and social media, where savvy sexual predators, traffickers and pornographers are aggressively preying on vulnerable children. By July of this year, Google Trends reported an 80% increase in parents searching for online help in dealing with cyberbullying. Alarmingly, kids under 10 years old comprise 22% of the online porn use. Read more

Russia – Illegal content removed from 188,000 websites with extremist information

Illegal content was removed from 188,000 websites publishing extremist materials like child pornography and the promotion of drugs and suicide according to Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor. The watchdog backs a bill on the introduction of administrative fines for failures to ensure secure and stable functioning of the internet over the territory of the Russian Federation. For these purposes, the law envisages that providers are to submit technical information to Roskomnadzor, so the agency could promptly take necessary measures in case of communications emergencies. The lawmakers believe the bill will close some legislative gaps available currently for the subjects of the regulations introduced in certain laws on communications, and protection of information, and informational technologies. more

Pakistan – Google, Twitter and Facebook threaten to leave Pakistan over new content rules

Global tech giants Google, Facebook & Twitter among others, have banded together and are threatening to leave Pakistan because of the country’s latest censorship laws. Under the new regulations, social media companies or internet service providers face a fine of up to $ 3.14 million for failing to curb the sharing of content deemed defamatory of Islam, promotion of the terrorism, hate speech, pornography or any content considered to endanger Security. Critics say the move was aimed at restricting free speech in the conservative Islamic nation. Previously Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan granted the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority the power to remove and block digital content that “harms, intimidates or excites disaffection with the government” or harms “the ‘integrity and security of Pakistan’. more

LIFEalerts – Pornography

Pornography

South Africa – Smart Choices: A value-Based CSE-Alternative

In March 2020, a group of educationalists, motivated by the nationwide controversy and sparked by revelations of the harmful ideology entrenched in “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” (CSE), met to initiate and develop a values-based sexuality education curriculum that adopts a sexual health, wellness, and character-building approach. CSE is currently being imposed on South Africa’s public schooling system by the Department of Basic Education – despite overwhelming public opposition. Most parents and educators are deeply concerned by the age-inappropriate content and sexually explicit illustrations evident throughout the program. Sharon Slater, President of Family Watch International and the UN Family Rights Caucus were deeply disturbed to discover that the program is a Trojan Horse for abortion and LGBTQI propaganda aimed at indoctrinating impressionable young children. “Smart Choices” – the new values-based sexuality education curriculum – provides a safe and credible alternative to the harmful ideology of CSE. Smart Choices is based on traditional and common-sense values shared by most of South Africans. Read more, Read about the program here

Australia – Major study finds Revenge porn is linked to family violence

Explicit images can be used as a form of control in abusive relationships. A study released recently looks at how revenge porn cases — which survivors and experts say are better described as image-based sexual abuse — were handled in Victorian courts over a period of four years. The report, the first of its kind in Australia, found 58 per cent were committed in the context of family violence. Image-based abuse occurs when intimate, nude or sexual images are distributed without the consent of those pictured. This includes real, altered (e.g. Photoshopped) and drawn pictures and videos. Criminologist Asher Flynn’s surveys of people across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK suggested one in three people had been the victim of this type of abuse. Read more

Pornography – The Sad Facts

Pornography has been declared a public health crisis in many states and countries. We cannot close our eyes to the devastating consequences it has on individuals and societies. The statistics are overwhelming. The Proven Men Porn Survey, conducted by the Barna Group in 2014, found that 64 percent of U.S. men view pornography monthly, with that figure increasing to 79 percent for men between the ages of 18-30. Also, 34 percent of women age 18-30 view pornography monthly. 55 percent of men of 18-30 said they first encountered pornography before the age of 12, while 25 percent of women did. One pornography website found that it had 64 million global visitors per day, and that nearly 92 billion videos had been viewed in the past year. The industry feeding these habits is correspondingly large. In 2006, the whole sex industry was estimated to be about $13 billion. (1) Lawmakers in the USA in the states of South Dakota, Virginia and Tennessee have affirmed the public harm of pornography. (1) It’s hard to deny that it is wrecking marriages and that people are enslaved to it. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in a 2003 survey found that in 56 percent of divorce cases, one spouse had an obsessive interest in online pornography. A study published in 2016 found that divorce rates nearly doubled for men and nearly tripled for women who began watching pornography during their marriage. (1) It is especially our children who are the most vulnerable. They need to be protected from this harmful practice. The sad fact however, is that some people who are supposed to protect the children are wolves in sheep’s clothing. If you follow the news you will find that the many people standing trail for pornography are often teachers, fathers, grandfathers, pastors, cabinet ministers, social workers, bishops, law enforcement officers, nursery school caretakers and the like. Something is drastically wrong in our societies and we must to take a good look at ourselves. Are we part of the problem or are we part of the solution? https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Story/TabId/2672/ArtMID/13567/ArticleID/21868/Pornography-a-growing-public-health-crisis.aspx]]>

Porn channel fined R25,000

Porn channel fined R25,000 for pleasing its 284 subscribers Dominic Skelton | 07 May, 2015 13:18 Digital satellite TV broadcaster StarSat got more than just a telling off by the broadcasting watchdog for continuing to show pornographic content after a court order forbade it to. SCA dismisses ODM appeal over decision to licence porn channels SCA dismisses ODM appeal over decision to licence porn channels Porn TV’s prime-time ban upheld by court Porn TV’s prime-time ban upheld by court The company was fined R25,000 by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for “knowingly” continuing the unauthorised service while its application to appeal the court’s decision had not yet been lodged. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa had allowed On Digital Media‚ which runs StarSat‚ to broadcast the pornographic content on three channels but the Western Cape High Court retracted the authorisation in November last year. StarSat admitted to continuing the service for almost four weeks during December and January in anticipation of their appeal‚ which was subsequently dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal. The company asked to be let off without a fine‚ saying that the service was only available on subscription and locked by two security pins. Subscribers had to prove they were over 18 years old and the service had only 284 subscribers. However‚ this only served to reduce its fine from the BCCSA’s maximum penalty of R60,000. The council of the Justice Alliance of South Africa‚ which lodged the complaint with the BCCSA‚ argued that regardless of the content and protections‚ providing an unauthorised service knowingly justified more than a reprimand. The BCCSA agreed. “A fine should be imposed to demonstrate to the respondent and other broadcasters that it is a serious contravention to broadcast without authorisation. However‚ there are circumstances that support [the approach] that the maximum should not be imposed‚” BCCSA chairman Kobus van Rooyen said. Van Rooyen said the fine of R25,000 was “sufficient to indicate the seriousness of the offence”. The BCCSA said the issue was not that pornography was broadcast but that there was broadcast without authorisation. It said the broadcasting of non-violent pornography was permitted by the Code for Subscription Broadcasters if it was branded ‘X18’. – RDM News Wire, TMG Courts and Law]]>

Porn – No Longer On SA TV.

DFL is delighted with the final outcome of the  court case against On Digital Media t/a StarSat aka TopTV.

Porn

Firstly, the challenge by DFL and 2 other applicants (CFJ and JASA) against ICASA’s decision to allow the broadcast of pornography in SA on television was upheld by Judge Lee Bozalek in the Cape High Court. Secondly, the leave to appeal by ODM was denied by Judge Bozalek on the 3 Nov 2014. This sent a strong message to those who wish to bring pornography into the public domain that there are many South Africans who strongly object to the spreading of pornography especially where there is a real danger that children will as a result be exposed to it with the resultant detrimental effects on society at large. Thirdly, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, on the 17 March 2015, dismissed with costs the application of ODM to appeal against the Cape High Court decision. Last but not least ODM has decided not to appeal this decision to the Constitutional Court. On Digital Media ceased all broadcasts of pornographic material on 26 March 2015. All South Africans can at least know that our children will not have even more access to porn through TV. Porn is already so easily available for free via cell phones and the internet; “PORN” is the 4th most searched word on the internet by children under the age of 15. This is a shocking statistic which proves to demonstrate that a lot more needs to be done to stop this epidemic that affects all corners of society and does not discriminate between anyone, rich or poor, male or female of all race groups. The sad thing is that it will always be our children that are affected the most whether directly or indirectly – Pornography is the fuel for abusive behaviors.]]>

Supreme Court dismisses ODM pornography appeal

Media Release: Doctors for Life International is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed with costs the application of On Digital Media t/a Starsat (previously TopTV), to appeal against the Cape High Court decision setting aside the decision of ICASA authorising the broadcasting of pornography on two of their South African television channels. Hopefully Doctors for Life will now be allowed to present conclusive scientific neurological evidence that has developed on the destructive effects and addictive nature of pornography on the brain, to ICASA. Doctors for Life International represents more than 1500 medical doctors and specialists in South Africa and abroad. DFL has commented extensively on these issues and has made submissions to the Constitutional Court and the Law Reform Commission in the past. For more information visit www.dfl.org.za DFL is represented by Attorneys Steve Schneider and Naomie Marais who instruct Advocates Reg Willis and Albert Mooi.]]>

Pornography

anti pornDoctors for Life was instrumental in getting the Constitutional Court of South Africa to rule that the production and/or possession of child pornography is illegal. DFL presented some of the latest research to the court on the effects of pornography on the brains of those who view it. It has been proven that pornographic images are often stored in the brain as real experiences. This has a dramatic impact on behavior and may for a long time since the images are not easily forgotten. It was decide by the court that, “Child pornography is universally condemned for good reason. It strikes at the dignity of children, It is harmful to children who are used in its production, and it is potentially harmful because of the attitude to child sex that it fosters and the use to which it can be put in grooming children to engage in sexual conduct”. Doctors for Life offers help and counseling to those who are addicted to any form of pornography. Like any addiction, the craving only grows. In this case, the addict needs to find more lewd and graphic forms of pornography. There is help though. Many have escaped the addiction of pornography and so can you.]]>