How the Porn Industry is Connected to Sex Trafficking
Aug 16, 2023
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Donna M. Hughes, an expert in sex trafficking, discusses the connections between the porn industry and sex trafficking. The podcast explores the use of force, fraud, and coercion in porn production and compares violence scenes in mainstream films and porn. Hughes and Dr. Mari Irvine analyze the definitions of sex trafficking and consent in the porn industry, challenging the notion of pornography as a contractual agreement. The importance of reducing the demand for exploited sex and pornography to combat human trafficking is emphasized.
The production of mainstream porn can involve sex trafficking, creating a symbiotic connection between the two industries.
Combatting sex trafficking requires addressing the demand for sexually exploitative content, including pornography.
Deep dives
Interconnection between sex trafficking and pornography
The podcast explains the connection between sex trafficking and pornography, highlighting how the production of pornography can exploit individuals in desperate situations. It is emphasized that sex trafficking involves commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion, and that the tactics used in the pornography industry often fall under these categories. The podcast draws a distinction between pornography and mainstream media, noting that unlike in mainstream film production, the acts depicted in pornography are not simulated but actually happen to the individuals involved.
The role of coercion and the demand for exploited sex
The podcast delves into the issue of coercion within the pornography industry and emphasizes the vulnerability of people engaged in prostitution. It is argued that the analysis focusing solely on the presence of a trafficker fails to address the exploitative nature of buying sex and consuming pornography. The podcast highlights that addressing the demand for exploited sex, including pornography, is crucial in combating human trafficking. By making healthier choices in media consumption, individuals can contribute to reducing the demand for sexually exploitative content.
Sex trafficking shares a variety of symbiotic connections with porn. Often they’re one and the same. Even in the production of mainstream porn, sex trafficking can still occur—and it happens more often than most people think.
As long as there’s a demand for porn—especially porn that is extreme, abusive, or degrading—the porn industry will continue to meet that demand. Consider before consuming, and help Stop The Demand for sex trafficking.
In this episode, we hear from experts Donna M. Hughes, Valiant Richey, and Mahri Irvine, Ph.D., who share the science and connection between the porn industry and sex trafficking.
This episode is part of our Truth About Porn series. Truth About Porn is a current, ever-growing database dedicated to research on the harmful effects of pornography. Learn more at https://truthaboutporn.org/