This chapter examines how the rising demand for pornography may contribute to increased interpersonal violence, including family, domestic, and sexual violence, in contemporary societies. The proliferation of explicit content is linked to higher rates of intimate partner violence and sexual coercion, as well as broader patterns of aggression within relationships. Exposure to violent or degrading pornography can reinforce harmful narratives that objectify individuals—especially women—distorting perceptions of relationships and sexuality. Research shows that frequent pornography use, particularly among men, correlates with increased perpetration and victimisation of intimate partner violence, including psychological aggression and sexual coercion. Violent pornography, in particular, is associated with greater acceptance of violence toward women and heightened sexual aggression, especially among those predisposed to aggression. This chapter also introduces zemiology—the study of social harms—as a lens to understand how societal responses to pornography can function as a form of social control. By framing pornography-related harms within a zemiological perspective, the chapter highlights how regulation and public discourse around pornography can both address and perpetuate social harms. Addressing the complex interplay between pornography consumption, social control, and interpersonal violence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Ultimately, understanding these connections is essential for fostering safer and more equitable environments for all, particularly women and girls.

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Reframing Harm: Pornography, Intimate Partner Sexual Violence, and Zemiological Principles for Social Transformation

  • Amber McKinley

摘要

This chapter examines how the rising demand for pornography may contribute to increased interpersonal violence, including family, domestic, and sexual violence, in contemporary societies. The proliferation of explicit content is linked to higher rates of intimate partner violence and sexual coercion, as well as broader patterns of aggression within relationships. Exposure to violent or degrading pornography can reinforce harmful narratives that objectify individuals—especially women—distorting perceptions of relationships and sexuality. Research shows that frequent pornography use, particularly among men, correlates with increased perpetration and victimisation of intimate partner violence, including psychological aggression and sexual coercion. Violent pornography, in particular, is associated with greater acceptance of violence toward women and heightened sexual aggression, especially among those predisposed to aggression. This chapter also introduces zemiology—the study of social harms—as a lens to understand how societal responses to pornography can function as a form of social control. By framing pornography-related harms within a zemiological perspective, the chapter highlights how regulation and public discourse around pornography can both address and perpetuate social harms. Addressing the complex interplay between pornography consumption, social control, and interpersonal violence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Ultimately, understanding these connections is essential for fostering safer and more equitable environments for all, particularly women and girls.