Some link pornography to sexual assault, violence
New Editor
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: News
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There are many debates about what causes sexual assault. Although numerous factors lead to the perpetration of sex crimes, some people believe pornography can contribute to these incidents.
Theresa Schinzel, Gonzaga's sexual assault and harm prevention coordinator, is one such person. Schinzel, a domestic violence counselor and victim's advocate for more than 10 years, said that overwhelming evidence supports the theory that the presence of pornography in an individual's life can incite sexual assault.
"Based on the social science data and on mountains of testimonials of both victims and perpetrators, medical professionals, counselors, doctors, law enforcement officers and others, pornography has been implicated as a contributing factor in sexual assault," Schinzel said.
There is conflicting evidence regarding whether pornography causes sexual crimes.
"A high percentage of non-incarcerated rapists and child molesters have said they have been incited by pornography to commit crimes," Schinzel said.
Other studies, however, have concluded that the relationship between pornography and sexual assault is not as strong as some believe. In their 1999 study entitled "Pornography, Rape and Sex Crimes in Japan," Milton Diamond and Ayako Uchiyama noted that while consumption of pornography is on the rise in Japan, the number of sexual crimes has decreased.
"The incidence of rape has progressively declined from 4,677 reported cases with 5,464 offenders in 1972 to the 1995 incidence of 1,500 cases with 1,160 offenders; a dramatic reduction in incidence of some two-thirds," according to the study.
Dr. Jane Rinehart, professor of sociology, criminal justice and women studies, cites similar results from studies in the United States. In addition, this research questions the validity of anecdotal evidence and "criticizes arguing backwards from information given by convicted sex offenders," Rinehart said.
Rinehart also said that it is necessary in this debate to recognize the difference between erotica and pornography. While material like pornography may be hurtful, other material such as erotica may not be.
Theresa Schinzel, Gonzaga's sexual assault and harm prevention coordinator, is one such person. Schinzel, a domestic violence counselor and victim's advocate for more than 10 years, said that overwhelming evidence supports the theory that the presence of pornography in an individual's life can incite sexual assault.
"Based on the social science data and on mountains of testimonials of both victims and perpetrators, medical professionals, counselors, doctors, law enforcement officers and others, pornography has been implicated as a contributing factor in sexual assault," Schinzel said.
There is conflicting evidence regarding whether pornography causes sexual crimes.
"A high percentage of non-incarcerated rapists and child molesters have said they have been incited by pornography to commit crimes," Schinzel said.
Other studies, however, have concluded that the relationship between pornography and sexual assault is not as strong as some believe. In their 1999 study entitled "Pornography, Rape and Sex Crimes in Japan," Milton Diamond and Ayako Uchiyama noted that while consumption of pornography is on the rise in Japan, the number of sexual crimes has decreased.
"The incidence of rape has progressively declined from 4,677 reported cases with 5,464 offenders in 1972 to the 1995 incidence of 1,500 cases with 1,160 offenders; a dramatic reduction in incidence of some two-thirds," according to the study.
Dr. Jane Rinehart, professor of sociology, criminal justice and women studies, cites similar results from studies in the United States. In addition, this research questions the validity of anecdotal evidence and "criticizes arguing backwards from information given by convicted sex offenders," Rinehart said.
Rinehart also said that it is necessary in this debate to recognize the difference between erotica and pornography. While material like pornography may be hurtful, other material such as erotica may not be.