Opposition Leader: Pornography addiction is the fastest-growing addiction in the world. It has become a silent epidemic for adults and children. Sexually overt behaviour targeted at children has become normalized because hypersexualized influencers and advertisers now determine social values. And to compound this over-sexualization of children, there is an epidemic of pornographic addiction affecting both children and adults. I, therefore, call on the Government, civil society, TATT, the Media Association, and any willing stakeholder to come together with the UNC to begin discussions on social, legislative, and educational interventions to address the pornography epidemic and the exploitative over-sexualization of children.
In light of recent media reports of over 2,000 cases of sexual abuse of girls and 500 cases of sexual abuse of boys being made to the Children’s Authority between 2020 and 2021, I am compelled to speak on this issue.
The increase in sexual abuse in our society over the past decade has many reasons. Still, two of the main concerns are the over-sexualization of children by adults and the pornography epidemic.
The innocence of childhood is being destroyed with an overload of sexual content being made available to children. Over-sexualized content is directed at children as young as five years old through video games, television shows, cartoons, movies, advertisements, and social media.
Individuals are also exposing children to sexually charged conversations, innuendo, music, dancing, and behaviours. It is not uncommon to see adults engaging in sexually suggestive and inappropriate behaviours in public or private events in the presence of teenagers and children.
Individuals and society are coercing children to appear sexually attractive and engage in behaviours that are not age appropriate for the proper mental development of children.
Our boys and girls are being groomed through self-objectification, and adults exploit this. Teens are facing pressure to become sexually active at younger ages because of poor social values. Thirteen-year-old girls and boys are encouraged to look like sexually active twenty-five-year-olds. Sexually overt behaviour targeted at children has become normalized because hypersexualized influencers and advertisers now determine social values.
And to compound this over-sexualization of children, there is an epidemic of pornographic addiction affecting both children and adults. Pornography addiction is a severe issue that should not be taboo for discussion.
As compared to decades ago, pornography is readily available on various internet platforms. Pornography addiction is similar to other addictions and can have debilitating effects. In addition to mental issues, socialization is affected, and individuals’ expectations of sexual relationships become skewed, which often leads to sexual violence.
Pornography addiction is the fastest-growing addiction in the world. It has become a silent epidemic for adults and children. During COVID lockdowns and extended periods at home, pornography viewing by children and adults skyrocketed, and this would have been one factor contributing to the increased cases of sexual abuse.
Trinidad and Tobago is under siege from a myriad of crime issues. We cannot reduce sexual crimes without publicly acknowledging the driving factors behind them, even if it is an uncomfortable discussion.
I, therefore, call on the Government, civil society, TATT, the Media Association, and any willing stakeholder to come together with the UNC to begin discussions on social, legislative, and educational interventions to address the pornography epidemic and the exploitative over-sexualization of children.