Experts divided on link between porn, sex crimes

[Arnox]

MUMBAI: Is there a connection between pornography and sexual violence? The debate has resurfaced after Mumbai police said three of the accused in the recent Shakti Mill gang-rape case frequently watched pornography.

Experts are a divided house on the issue. Conservative groups say pornography affects relations, while many researchers believe viewing porn can, to an extent, actually curb sexually deviant behavior. Psychiatrist Dr Bharat Shah said there is no link between viewing pornography and crime. "Some people get addicted to watching porn, but that doesn't instigate criminal activity. Such a thing has never been proved," he said. Dr Harish Shetty concurred, "One cannot blame pornography for the rising crimes against women. That would be akin to blaming something as unconnected as voodoo.''

What experts, however, agree is that pornography may adversely influence the action of an anti-social persons. Dr Shah said people with a criminal tendency could become de-sensitized after viewing excessive porn. "It's the same as alcohol addiction. Those who are vulnerable may see more harmful effects," he said. Dr Shetty added that those "who have sociopathic traits may find this a trigger".

Access to porn has become easier in recent times due to smart phones and the reach of the internet. "Three decades back, people only looked at posters. Now you get video clips on your mobile phones,'' said senior psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Kumawat. This access is worrying parental groups and doctors.

Recently, UK prime minister David Cameron declared a "war'' against pornography. In many countries, including India, it is a criminal offence to circulate pornographic material. A major British study made public in May said children were developing permissive attitudes to sex and are viewing women as objects after being raised on a "diet of pornography". The study found a clear link between exposure to extreme images at a young age and a rise in "risky behaviour". The British Children's Commissioner Maggie Atkinson said children who regularly viewed pornography were more likely to have underage sex, develop "casual and hedonistic" attitudes, experiment with drink and drugs and indulge in sexting (sending explicit text or pictures to others via camera phones).

Dr Kumawat concurred with the British study, saying people who viewed pornography constantly developed perversion. "It makes you preoccupied with sexual thoughts. You get obsessed with the imagery. And on an impulse, such a person can commit a sexual crime," he cautioned.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/22241927.cms

[Jel]

100% of rapists (and 94.8% of murderers) have watched comedy in one form or another, that shit needs to be banned already.

[pornmasta]

water can kill you, we should ban it...

[Klen]

Same nonsense as claim how video games causes violence.

[just a punk]

Bullshit. Read ths: PORN UP, RAPE DOWN.