SUBMISSION ANROWS Submission: Inquiry into the impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health
The Inquiry examined the impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health, including early exposure, access and distribution, effects on body image, respect and consent, the effectiveness of education, access restrictions and supports for families, and opportunities for improvement.
ANROWS welcomes the Inquiry and supports efforts to strengthen understanding of the impacts of pornography.
The evidence indicates that the impacts of pornography are not well understood. Some research indicates associations between pornography use and violence perpetration, while other research suggests that these links are not conclusive or necessarily causal.
This limited understanding extends to what we know about the influence of pornography on children and young people’s sexual attitudes and behaviours. Research also indicates that young people have mixed views about pornography, with many seeing it as filling an information vacuum when sex is not discussed in schools.
In light of the limited evidence, ANROWS calls for investment in further research to understand the influence of pornography on children and young people’s safety and wellbeing. We also urge the Committee to define what is meant by “harmful pornography” to assist with the Inquiry’s clarity and purpose.
ANROWS recommends that the Inquiry:
- Invest in further research to understand the influence of pornography on children and young people’s safety and wellbeing, including into young adulthood, and the development of healthy sexual practices, behaviours and attitudes.
- Define what is meant by “harmful pornography” in the context of this Inquiry, including how this definition was developed, to assist with clarity of focus and purpose.
- Invest in, implement and evaluate respectful relationships education to equip children and young people with the tools to have healthy relationships, including the ability to recognise where pornography is harmful.
- Ensure that the Inquiry listens to and privileges diverse voices to support decision-making informed by lived expertise, including the voices of children and young people and sex workers.
This submission may be of interest to policymakers, legal and justice professionals, health and mental health practitioners, researchers, educators, and organisations working across domestic, family and sexual violence prevention.
Download the full submission to explore the evidence and recommendations in detail.
Suggested citation
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2024) Inquiry into the impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health [Submission no. 8]. ANROWS.