Utah Governor Signs Public Health Crisis Resolution about Explicit Materials

SALT LAKE CITY, April 19, 2016 -- Today, in an official ceremony, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed a resolution declaring pornography a public health crisis. This resolution, which passed unanimously through the Utah State Senate and House of Representatives, was drafted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).

"Utah is on the cutting edge of addressing the public health crisis of pornography," said Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of NCOSE. "The harms of pornography are becoming clear in light of overwhelming scientific and social research—research which demonstrates that resolutions like the one in Utah are vital for the sexual health of future generations. For instance, research shows that pornography use is linked to increased verbal and physical sexual aggression, acceptance of rape myths, decreased brain matter, reduced impulse control and decision making, risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, higher incidence of STIs, and increased sexual dysfunction. Utah's resolution not only raises awareness about these harms and the need to protect children from early exposure, but also serves as a guidepost for leaders about future policy decisions such as requiring libraries and schools to install filtering software."

"I believe pornography will follow the trend of the tobacco industry in public perception," Hawkins continued. "Pornography today is pervasive and popular, similar to smoking in the 1950s, but as the harms become apparent, both the general public and elected officials will demand that a multi-disciplinary public health approach be implemented across the country to address it."

Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national organization dedicated to opposing pornography by highlighting the links to sex trafficking, violence against women, child abuse, and addiction. NCOSE embraces a mission to defend human dignity and to advocate for the universal right of sexual justice, which is freedom from sexual exploitation, objectification, and violence.

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