Who watches porn: Implications for Prevention Programs

Much of the research on pornography consumption confirms that immature individuals and individuals predisposed to sexual assault or sexual harassment dehumanize men and women as a consequence of having viewed porn. Does viewing porn predispose individuals to believe that porn does not affect sexual assault and sexual harassment? We attempt to answer this question to guide the development of prevention programs addressing sexual assault and sexual abuse. 1551 students responded to an electronic survey (2008). Responses on items that they had viewed pornographic movies, internet sites and magazines either alone or with a friend were used to define pornographic viewers and non-pornographic viewers. Comparisons were conducted on the two groups using demographic characteristics and attitudes towards sexual assault and harassment. A 10% response difference between the two groups was viewed as a meaningful indicator for program planners to identify characteristics to consider for program planning. Using our broader criterion, only two characteristics differentiated between porn users and non-users: being male and students living off campus. Comparisons between porn users and non-porn users examined responses about porn viewing and its impact on sexual assault and sexual harassment. Beliefs that porn viewing did not increase assaults and harassment were confirmed for porn consumers (.000). Research clearly confirms that pornography viewing places high risk offenders at greater risk for abuse and harassment. Prevention programming will need to consider that pornography users hold strong beliefs that pornography consumption is not harmful. This is a major barrier to effective programming.