Porn deemed public health crisis, harmful in 5 states

By Diana Chandler - Posted at The Baptist Press:

NASHVILLE (BP) -- At least five states have officially declared pornography a public health crisis or harmful to the public, and at least one other is considering a similar measure, according to bill updates filed on state legislature websites.

A resolution passed by the Tennessee Legislature declaring pornography a public health hazard was awaiting Gov. Bill Haslam's signature April 21. Days earlier, Tennessee became the fourth state to adopt such a resolution, joining Utah, South Dakota and Arkansas.

The Virginia General Assembly stopped short of declaring pornography a public health hazard or crisis, but in February passed a resolution that pornography leads to "individual and societal harms." The Georgia legislature adjourned its 2017 session with two resolutions, both in committees, that would declare pornography a public health crisis.

The resolutions emphasize research showing the harmful effects of pornography and call for education, prevention, and policy changes at the community and societal levels. As resolutions, none of the measures add to criminal offenses regarding pornography nor stipulate any punishment for its use.

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