The relationship between rape and pornography enshrouded with confusion and surrounded by debate. Part of the problem is determining exactly what is meant by pornography. Seto, Maric, and Barbaree (2001) state there is a distinction between erotica and pornography. Erotica refers to sexually explicit material that depicts adult men and women con-sensually involved in pleasurable nonviolent non-degrading sexual interactions. Pornography may be described as depictions of sexual contact, where one of the participants is per trade is powerless, or non-consenting, or is little more than an object of pleasure of the other participant or participants. Pornography may be described as either physically violent or degrading and humiliating to one of the participants, usually the women if the parties are of different sexes both forms of pornography per tray sexual interactions as impersonal and without affection or consideration of the actors as individuals." Research does indicate that individuals who are predisposed to commit such assault often use pornography as a stimulus.
Questions 1. If all violent and non-violent pornography were eradicated today do you believe that sex crimes would decrease?
2. Do you believe that pornography could be a relapse trigger for a convicted sexual offender? Or do you believe that pornography and self gratification, could serve as a pressure relief valve for those that have uncontrollable sexual urges?
3. How would you go about monitoring sex offenders in the use of pornography, if he or she was placed on parole or probation?