Pornography and the portrayal of women in the media both contribute to perpetuating violence against women and the oppression of women.

The topic was the subject of discussion among police officers from around the Pacific who are attending a training program on gender, violence against women and laws related to gender-based violence.

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre conducted the Police Regional Training Program for 30 officers from 11 countries with funding from the Australian Federal Police.

Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki of the Tonga Women and Children’s Crisis Centre led a discussion of the impacts of pornography and the media on women. In her presentation, Guttenbeil-Likiliki likened the problem of pornography to a “silent epidemic” because of its secretive nature.

Unlike other addictions such as alcoholism or illegal drug use, people generally will not acknowledge a pornography addiction.

Technology and the advent of the internet has assisted in the widespread availability of pornography and developed a “pornified culture” in which people have become desensitised to sexualised and graphic images in which women are sex objects, the officers heard.

“Pornography is bigger than any of the major league sports, bigger than Hollywood,” says Ms Guttenbeil-Likiliki. “Porn is no longer a sideshow to the mainstream; it is the mainstream.” READ MORE


 

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST