Data prove pornography causes sex offenses

From his jail cell a few days ago, 20-year-old Craig Roger Gregerson explained the reason for which he has been arrested and charged with capital murder, punishable by death, and first degree child kidnapping.

In a case that created national media attention, he is accused of killing 5-year-old Destiny Norton, who went missing from her home in Salt Lake City July 16. Hundreds turned out to search for her. Later police found her body stuffed in a container in the basement of Gregerson's house just two doors away from her home. Police charge that he lured her to his own property, suffocated her, then abused her dead body.

In the jail cell interview with a local TV reporter, Gregerson offered an addiction to pornography as the reason for his actions. When asked why he killed the little girl he said he was "addicted to pornography at one point. It was ruining my life and affecting my relationship with my wife. I can tell you this: I have now become a strong advocate against pornography. I do apologize to the public, and everyone else who's been involved in what happened."

Those who profit from the production and sale of pornographic and violent material in magazines and books, on videos and television, argue that there is no evidence to prove that what they create can foster violence, and child molestation and sex crimes, in those exposed to it.

The ugly case of Craig Roger Gregerson, and what happened to 5-year-old Destiny Norton, is at least one convincing piece of evidence that it can and does.

It should not require a doctorate in psychology to understand that what we see and hear can influence our behavior.

But if evidence is needed, there is serious research that proves this to be the case. For instance, the Rand Corporation in Pittsburgh has just published in the current issue of Pediatrics the results of a survey indicating that teens who listen to music full of raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs. The Associated Press quotes the lead researcher on this project, Steven Martino, as saying: Exposure to lots of sexually degrading music "gives them a specific message about sex." Boys learn they should be relentless in pursuit of women, and girls learn to view themselves as sex objects. "We think that really lowers kids' inhibitions."

Benjamin Chavis, who heads a network coalition of hip-hop musicians and recording industry executives, responded to the survey by asserting that explicit music lyrics are a cultural expression that reflect "social and economic realities."