Women say "NO" to Government ban on "violent" pornography
Released 26th June 2007
Women across Britain reject today's presentation in the House of Commons of
the Criminal Justice Bill 2006-7, which will make possession of certain
kinds of consensually-produced porn punishable with three years in prison.
The government claims that a ban on the possession of certain kinds of porn will
"protect" women, as if they were children or passive victims. Yet 1 in 3
visitors to adult websites are female (Internet Filter Review). And when it
comes to "violent" pornography, women constitute a much higher
proportion of users, including those active in opposing the proposal - 63%
in the case of our recent "Blogging for backlash" campaign.
The views of ordinary women - from housewives to sex
workers to entrepreneurs - who believe that the proposed ban on
"violent" pornography will have no effect on real crime, and serve only
to damage private citizens engaged in consensual adult activities, have been canvassed by backlash.
Sue, a 43-year-old mother of three from Scotland says: "I am a
consumer of so-called "violent porn". I have modelled for
so-called "violent porn" and for mainstream porn. Nothing was done
that I had not consented to fully. As a model, I did not once feel degraded or
abused. I do however, as an adult woman, feel degraded by those who claim to
know what's best for me!"
Evie, 39, NHS Manager from Hertfordshire: "I am lucky enough to live at
a time when I can decide my own fate, my own sexuality, and enjoy eroticism on a
par with men. However, the government now seeks to brand me a feeble-minded
victim and take that right away. I find the implication offensive in the
extreme".
Statement from the International Union of Sex Workers: "The proposed
legislation would scapegoat consenting adults while doing little to lessen the
real threats of violence in society. It has been prepared without consultation
with those actually involved. We stand with backlash against this
legislation".
Rosalee, 42, artist from London: "[This legislation] serves only to
disempower me and deny me the right to explore my own sexuality and to make my
own choices about how I choose to express it. And women who feel disempowered
and made to feel ashamed of their sexualities become more vulnerable to real
exploitation and abuse."
Molly, 47: "I have always voted Labour because I believe in social
justice, but if this bill is passed this government will definitely NEVER see my
vote again".
An umbrella organisation, backlash represents groups who are opposed to the
government's intention to create a new offence of the ownership of
"violent" pornography. To read more articles from ordinary women
speaking out against this reactionary proposal, to arrange interviews or simply
to find out more about our campaign, visit our website or contact us at the
numbers below.
Contact:
Deborah Hyde 07960 171 951 info@backlash-uk.org.uk
Sean Gabb 07956 472 199 sean@libertarian.co.uk
Derek Cohen 07970 988 425 derek@spannertrust.org
Backlash. PO Box 4631 London SW17 0BT
www.backlash-uk.org.uk
They call it "Smarter Justice"
The Government says the Criminal Justice Bill will "create new powers to tackle anti-social and violent behaviour and a new offence to deal with violent pornography"
Prime Minister conflicted
.... there are areas in which the State, or the
community, no longer has a role or, if it does have
one, it is a role that is completely different. It is
not for the State to tell people that they cannot
choose a different lifestyle, for example in issues to
do with sexuality.
Tony Blair 5th Sept 2006
QC's conclusion "real concerns"
"In conclusion, I consider that the legislation as proposed gives rise to real concerns as to its compatibility with an individual's rights under Articles 8 and 10 of the Convention."