Abuse and pornography
Whilst the viewing of pornography is often seen as a personal activity, there is considerable evidence that some people who view pornography will actually engage in some form of abusive activity toward others and that pornography harms many people.
 On one level that may become evident in their personal relationships - in her book 'An Affair of the Mind', Laurie Hall describes the adverse consequences that viewing pornography had on her husband and then on their marriage and relationship.
However, another important question to consider is if there is a link between viewing pornography and adverse effects - including abusive and criminal behaviour - either toward adults or children.
Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy was a notorious criminal in the USA who said that using pornography had contributed to his behaviour of abusing, raping and killing women.
This interview is included in a new presentation prepared in 2009, 20 years after the events.
Fatal Addiction: Ted Bundy's Final Interview
Ted Bundy granted an interview to James Dobson of Focus on the Family just before he was executed on January 24, 1989.
Watch online: Fatal Addiction: Ted Bundy's Final Interview
Read: Transcript of interview
The following report looks at the harmful effects that the use of adult pornography can have on children.
New Report: How Adult Pornography Harms Children
A new 215 page Report was published by Morality in Media in September 2009.
In their introduction they write:
"Federal and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, Internet service providers, credit card companies, banks, and nonprofits are finally working together to curb sexual exploitation of children on the Internet. They are to be commended for doing so.
For the most part, however, these same government and private entities have turned a blind eye towards the explosion of hardcore adult pornography on the Internet and elsewhere. The latter does not depict actual children but does include hardcore depictions of sex with persons who look like children and with "teens." . . .
"The explosion of hardcore adult pornography on the Internet and elsewhere is contributing to sexual exploitation of children in a variety of ways, including the following:
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For many perpetrators there is a progression from viewing adult pornography to viewing child pornography.
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Johns act out what they view in adult pornography with child prostitutes and pimps use adult pornography to instruct child prostitutes.
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Children imitate behavior they view in adult pornography with other children.
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Perpetrators use adult pornography to sexually arouse themselves.
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Addiction to adult pornography destroys marriages, and children raised in one-parent households are more likely to be sexually exploited.
The Report - 40 pages report, 175 pages appendices, pdf, 964 KB.
How Adult Pornography Harms Children - Not currently available on the MiM website.
Available at Scribd - can be read online - pdf available but a fee is charged. Click here.
Media release - Morality in Media Media Release about the Report
Media article about the Report:
30 years of data connects porn with child molestation - One News Now - October 2, 2009.
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