Pornography isn’t cause of sex crimes

By Joseph F. Boetcher, Las Vegas

Saturday, May 17, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.

In the Monday letter “Porn is at the root of most sex crimes,” the writer’s assertion is wrong.

First of all, she commits a logical fallacy: after this, therefore because of this. Just because sex offenders view pornography before they commit their crimes does not mean that pornography caused them to commit their crimes.

In fact, there is scientific research on pornography. The research supports the conclusion that pornography does not damage relationships or cause sexism. Research also shows that pornography does not incite sex aggression.

The consumption of pornography has increased greatly with the advent of the Internet, yet rates of rape and sexual assault are at their lowest levels since the 1960s. This is true in the United States and in other countries.

Some researchers argue that pornography actually reduces the desire to rape and sexually assault women. In fact, pornography appears to be protective of women and to provide positive benefits to society.

Opposition to pornography can be based only on moral grounds, not on scientific grounds.