©Biz Gainey
Porn leads to rape.
We have empirical evidence to support that statement. We have countless stories to substantiate the claim. Now, years after the fact, we have horrific first hand evidence that should sway even the most entrenched skeptic.
Porn leads to rape.
I mean, after all, what kind of person sneaks into the bedroom of a fourteen-year old girl and, while she lay sleeping next to her younger sister, wakes her at knife-point, steals her from her family and spends the next nine months robbing her innocence as he repeatedly and compulsively rapes her – again, and again, and again – in a cave while his wife prepares his meals?
The kind of person that porn and porn alone creates and nurtures, that’s who.
You remember the story to which I am referring. It’s the story of Elizabeth Smart[i] which Fight the New Drug has recently distributed to the masses.
Elizabeth was kidnapped in June of 2002. At the time of her kidnapping she was fourteen years old. I remember the distressing new footage as if it were just yesterday. The whole nation was gripped in fear and desperate for hope as we watched, prayed, and waited.
We watched, prayed, and waited.
We watched, prayed, and waited.
While we watched, prayed, and waited he consumed, clawed, and raped.
It’s clear, in this case. Porn is the instigator of the man who played the perpetrator.
Who is going to hold the Porn Industry accountable for Smart’s abduction?
Why have no porn moguls been brought to court, as of today?
Simply put, because Porn is big business and the industry has sleazed its way through regulatory politics and continues to circumvent federal law.
I am also someone who used to be addicted to pornography. Even these days, I still find myself tempted to taste its forbidden fruit.
Some Necessary Caveats
I realize my statements are strong. Therefore, it’s appropriate to list two caveats or cautions that might help ease the blow of the statement ‘Porn leads to rape.’ Here they are:
1. Viewing porn doesn’t mean you will rape someone.
2. Viewing porn doesn’t mean that you are addicted to porn.
With those in mind, let me clarify specifically what I’m trying to say and then offer a few aids for those who are caught in porn’s web.
When I say phrases like ‘Porn leads to rape,’ or ‘Everyone is an addict,’ I am utilizing inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning begins with specific and limited observations from which general conclusions can fairly be drawn.
We can certainly, with a fair amount of honesty, deduce that porn does, indeed, lead to rape. In the United States alone, we have multiple national accounts of the porn-rape connection within the last twelve months.
And, while everyone is not addicted to porn, we have certainly become a nation of porn-addicts. Pornography has – very literally – changed the fabric of human connection by striping human connection of all meaning and intimacy.
If these two statements reflect a general accuracy regarding our cultural consumption of porn, then it is incumbent upon us to do everything we can to stem the tide and reverse the course on which we are currently traveling. Indeed, study after study reveals that our children are not only the victims of porn-induced rape, but they are also now the addicts as well. What was once an ‘eerie-old man’ problem has now become an excitable prepubescent child tormentor.
I am going to suggest a few ways YOU can join this fight. Whether you’re an addict, or friend of an addict, or friend of someone who is being tormented by an addict, these are steps any of us can take.
1. Speak out Against Porn. Seriously, this is what’s needed most. Just stand up and let people know that you believe porn is a problem – a ravenous insect – that needs to be eradicated from our culture. You can begin by simply sharing this post on your social media sites.
2. Get Help with Your Addiction. When I was first ‘outed’ by my addiction, I had few resources. These days it’s easy to get help. Reach out to us at Men Against Porn or check out our partner portion of the website. Let your friend know that you’re struggling. Find a way to confess your addiction to your spouse or partner. Porn is fueled by web clicks. When we stop clicking, they will stop producing.
3. Take the Ten Day Challenge. Men Against Porn has developed a ten-day challenged designed to help you being your journey into freedom.
4. Talk About this with Your Kids. Dads (and moms), listen to me: Your children have already seen pornography. Speak with them about it. Keep up with their social media devices and the company they keep. The kid across the street, down the road, or sitting next to them in class may very well be the one who introduces your child to porn. An open and honest conversation with them will give them confidence and let them know that they can share this type of thing with you.
5. Use Accountability Software and Filters in your Home and on Your Devices. To this day, I have Covenant Eyes installed on my computer, tablets, and phones. There is quite a bit of such software available these days and we have some listed on our Partner page.
6. Share Your Story. Men Against Porn is always looking for new voices who will write for us. If you believe you have a story to share that will be of help to others, then reach out and let us know. We’d love to help distribute your story of hope!
It’s time we said enough is enough! Together we can experience a porn-free life and help usher in the end of porn addiction in our life-time!
Biz, Men Against Porn
[i] http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/elizabeth-smart-porn-made-living-hell-worse-article-1.2759152
