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Ban Porn, Increase Media Regulation, Better Sex Ed

Proposal Summary

1. Pornography is harmful. Banning it would limit its usage. 2. Media contains sexual content requiring stricter legislation. 3. Sex ed should teach biology, consent and appropriate behaviour.

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1. I think the consequences of porn use are extreme enough to warrant extreme action. The provided paper, along with multitudes of research studies and personal anecdotes, shows pornography to be harmful both to individuals and to relationships. Suggested actions: Banning pornography would limit its use and make it more difficult to circulate, as well as decrease exposure to the general public. Banning the advertisement of porn sites and materials would limit exposure rates, which in turn should decrease usage. Introduce legislation that limits what sexual acts are allowed to be in circulation, i.e. banning violent acts and scenarios.

2. Entertainment media i.e. books and films, often promote sexual acts and scenarios.  Oftentimes, references, jokes, and inuendos are included in materials aimed at children. Stricter legislation should be in place to ensure that young people are not exposed to sexual content, regardless of the theory that "it will go over their heads." It is inappropriate. Fact. Therefore should not be included in entertainment for young people. Sexual references and scenarios in media should have a higher rating. "M" is not enough. 15yo are too young. "R" should be used. For example, "50 Shades of Grey" romanticised sexual violence. This sort of material should not exist. Sexual violence needs to be spoken about the way it is in reality. Never okay. Never as something fun to explore. People having "kinks" is not a real thing. "Kinks" are simply maladaptive coping mechanisms to mask trauma.

3. Sex Ed should encapsulate three things: 1. Teach biological differences between male and female sexes, including explanation of intersex biology. 2. Teach consent, affirmative consent, healthy boundaries (Explanation of what is not okay, why, and how to get help) 3. Teach appropriate ways to deal with sexual tension and urges I propose that each of these three things should be included in sex ed in different levels of detail for different age groups, thereby keeping all children well-informed as they grow and learn without over-exposing them too young. For those already outside the education system: Free educational materials should be made available in public spaces e.g. libraries and GP offices. The purpose of the material would be to validate anyone who feels unheard and to bring awareness to those who are perpetrating but might not realise.

Personal Notes: Sexual violence can and does occur in the context of loving partners.  I know that my husband loves me. He did not realise he was a perpetrator. He was uninformed and did not understand the importance of consent.  It took me a long time to have the confidence to speak up. This all could have been avoided if we had both been more educated. We both come from traumatic family upbringings so it has made it that much harder to work through these things, to be brave, to process, to learn and move forward. I know that if the three things I have mentioned in my proposal had already been in place, our lives and relationships would have had so much less damage.  I grieve that we were not better protected and hope that both the system and us as individuals can do better for future generations.