EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY AND VIOLENCE

9. Ordinary experience confirmed by studies conducted around the world has recognized the evil effects of pornography and violence in the media. ⁵ Pornography in the media is understood as a violation, through the use of audiovisual techniques, of the right to privacy of the human body in its male or female nature, a violation which reduces the human person and human body to an anonymous object of misuse for the purpose of gratifying concupiscence; violence in the media may be understood - especially in this context - as a presentation designed to appeal to base human instincts of actions contrary to the dignity of the person and depicting intense physical force exercised in a deeply offensive and often passionate manner. Specialists may disagree among themselves about how and to what degree particular individuals and groups are affected by these phenomena, but the broad outlines of the problem are stark, clear and frightening.

10. While no one can consider himself or herself immune to the corrupting effects of pornography and violence or safe from injury at the hands of those acting under their influence, the young and the immature are especially vulnerable and the most likely to be victimized. Pornography and sadistic violence debase sexuality, corrode human relationships, exploit individuals - especially women and young people, undermine marriage and family life, foster anti-social behaviour and weaken the moral fibre of society itself.

Among those can be cited: 1) The Longford Report on Pornography (original title Pornography: The Longford Report), Ricerche-Mursia, Milan (Italy) 1978; 2) Final Report of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tennessee (U.S.A.), 1986; 3) ISPES (Istituto di Studi Politici, Economici e Sociali), I e II Rapporto sulla Pornografia in Italia, Rome, (Italy), 1986 and 1988.