By Vivian Chan, MC, RCC

The power of internet pornography affects people in all gender and age groups. Although research identifies young males as the predominant consumers of pornography, many in the field of sexual addictions argue that online sexual activity has expanded the range of male and female consumers. According to Family Safe Media (2006), the percentage of visitors to adult sexual websites who are women is 1 in 3. The changing demographics of consumption, however, are not yet reflected in the research literature.

Carnes’ (1982, 1992 & 1994) works illustrate the three levels of severity of sexual addiction:

  • Level I: Masturbation, pornography (soft-core porn), prostitution
  • Level II: Exhibitionism, voyeurism, indecent sexual activities
  • Level III: Child molestation, incest, and rape

Level I involves behaviours commonly considered to be “harmless” or socially acceptable in our culture. The private use of “soft-core” pornography generally leads to sexual arousal, often culminating in masturbation, other forms of self-abuse or prostitution. Although not all cultures view Level I behaviours as problematic, long-lasting impacts can be observed in the various systems of the pornography user. The illegal aspect of Level I activities often implies the low priority for enforcement of officials, which generates minimal risk for the pornography user. Since many cultures accept or tolerate such behaviours, victimization and exploitation often occur.

Level II includes behaviours that cause significant negative consequences to the pornography user and perhaps annoy, offend, or frighten innocent people, such as sexual harassment or exhibitionism. These behaviours are unacceptable in any cultures from the moral or legal perspectives. Pornography users who are involved in the level II activities are at risk of prosecution if caught. These people are perceived as pathetic and sick and their behaviours are often the objects of jokes which dismiss their internal emotions.

Level III includes behaviours that place innocent victims at risk of major harm or trauma, such as child sexual abuse or rape. Each behaviour in this level represents a profound violation of cultural boundaries. Extreme legal consequences put the pornography users at high-risk situations when acting upon the cravings of their addiction.

Carnes (1992) also presents anecdotal evidence that suggests at least two important things. First, most people engaging in behaviours at a more serious level have had experience with behaviours in the levels below it. Second, many people have engaged in behaviour at only one of the three levels of severity, but the intensity of their addiction to those behaviours has escalated over time. Increased intensity means that the pornography users pursue their established patterns of behaviour with more energy, greater frequency and the time spent on these activities are beyond their control. In each of the above levels, the person is being taken over by the addiction and many aspects of their life are impacted as a result.

Weed (1997) and numerous studies have demonstrated that pornography is a common antecedent to sexual crimes and that sex crimes often mirror behaviours viewed in pornographic depictions. Contrary arguments still exist and they argue that there is no proven causal relationship between pornography and sex crimes. It is true that scientific research is as yet unable to demonstrate that pornography causes sex crimes, as noted previously, it is clear that there is strong correlation between pornography and sex crimes. Aside from the causal harm between pornography and sex crimes, it is important to pay attention to the implications behind the exclusive focus of such relationship. If our understanding of the harm of using pornography is reduced to the idea that, if it is used, the user will end up committing a sex crime, we then fail to recognize the broader potential harms in many other areas. Certainly not all those who use pornography become sex criminals, indeed only a small percentage becomes sex criminals. However, the fact that not all pornography users become sex criminals does not negate the harmfulness of using pornography. Such harmfulness impacts not only the individuals who use pornography, the harm also extends to the marital relationship and family.

References

Carnes, P. (1982). Out of the shadows: understanding sex addiction. Center City, MN: Hazeldon.

Carnes, P. (1992). Don’t call it love: recovery from sexual addiction. New York, USA: Bantam Books.

Carnes, P. (1994). Contrary to love: helping the sexual addict. Center City, MN: Compcare.

Pornography Statistics. (2006). Family safe media. Retrieved March 5, 2008. from http://www.familysafemedia.com/pornography_statistics.html

Weed, S. (1997). Pornography: a review of scientific literature. National coalition for the protection of children and families.

** The Vancouver Wishing Wells Counselling Service provides counselling support for individuals, couples, children, and families in Greater Vancouver. Our office is located in the Vancouver West Side - Oakridge area, accessible by Canada Line. Our counselling services include Individual & Couple Counselling, Children Counselling / Play Therapy, Parent-Child Relationship / Filial Therapy, Child Behaviour Consultation, and Counselling for Adolescents. Should you need to discuss with one of our therapists for consultation, please Contact Us for more information.
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