ASACP is a Front Organization for Pornographers

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In a 12,000-word reference piece posted to Morality in Media's www.obscenitycrimes.org website ("Current News"), MIM President Robert Peters examines evidence that the proliferation of "adult pornography" (actual minors not depicted) on the Internet is contributing to sexual abuse of children and to other harms and asserts that the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is a front organization for adult pornographers who are "attempting to divert attention from their harmful and often illegal businesses and to portray themselves as responsible corporate citizens."

"The 'adult industry' is not now and never has been a friend of children," he writes.

"Even assuming that individuals associated with ASACP are themselves concerned about the welfare of children, the organization itself serves as a front group for online commercial distributors of 'adult pornography,' and the proliferation of 'adult pornography' on the Internet poses a significant risk to children in a variety of ways, as well as to society.

"Federal and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, Internet service providers, credit card companies, banks, and nonprofits are finally working together to curb sexual exploitation of children on the Internet. They are to be commended for doing so.

"For the most part, however, these same government and private entities...turn a blind eye towards the ever-expanding problem of 'adult pornography' on the Internet...Those who fight sexual exploitation of children but turn their backs to the 'adult pornography' problem are making a tragic mistake."

He adds, "I think some government and private entities have not only turned their backs to the 'adult pornography' problem. Increasingly, they are cozying up to the 'adult entertainment industry' as if it were a friend of children."

In his article, Mr. Peters makes the following eight points in support of his assertion that the explosion of "adult pornography" online is contributing to sexual exploitation of children and other harms:

1. Many adults who sexually exploit children display 'adult pornography' to their victims.

2. Many adults who sexually exploit children use 'adult pornography' to arouse themselves.

3. Many adults who violate sexual exploitation of children laws begin their downward spiral by viewing 'adult pornography.'

4. Some adults addicted to 'adult pornography' act out sexually with child prostitutes.

5. Many online distributors of 'adult pornography' market depictions of sex with 'teens.'

6. Addiction to 'adult pornography' destroys marriages and that harms children.

7. ASACP's RTA (Restricted to Adults) labels provide little protection for children from Internet smut.

8. Legitimate governmental interests, in addition to protecting children, are at stake.

In his article, Mr. Peters also responds to arguments that U.S. based online "adult pornographers" are not breaking any laws and that because of limited resources the Justice Department and FBI are right to focus their energies almost exclusively on child molesters and child pornography.

Here are the research citations for the eight points mentioned above (links are provided in the article).

See em at http://www.adultfyi.com/read.php?ID=33859