ST. GEORGE, Utah - Mayor Daniel McArthur [pictured] has reaffirmed the city's stance against sexually explicit material, making a proclamation Thursday that February is White Ribbon Against Pornography Month.
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The proclamation states several dangers of pornography, calling it addictive, dehumanizing to participants, a false representation of human sexuality and a cause of anti-social sexual behaviors. McArthur said Friday that studies have also shown the danger of criminal behavior, saying such cases as Ted Bundy's murder spree was partly caused by pornography.
"We see domestic violence, we see abuse, whether child abuse or spousal abuse," he said. "Some of it is not only drug-related - I'm sure a lot of it is done because of pornography."
A number of other local cities, including Hurricane, Santa Clara, Washington and LaVerkin, have made similar proclamations this month.
"I think White Ribbon Against Pornography is just scratching the surface," McArthur said. "I really think all of us should keep up on action like this to keep our morality up to a high level."
The municipalities have joined Communities for Decency, a statewide nonprofit organization, to aid in its goal to provide better education and resources for parents to fight pornography.
"The focus is to raise awareness and make people feel empowered about what they can do," said Teresa Willie, district representative for Communities for Decency.
In the Internet age it has become especially difficult to combat pornography, she said, calling the "Three A's," of accessibility, affordability and anonymity, the Internet provides a major obstacle.
Anti-pornography groups say the more than 1.5 million pornographic Web sites available online make sexually explicit material all too easy to find. On average, children are first exposed to pornography between the ages of seven and 11, Willie said.
In addition, current socioeconomic conditions might be cause for more concern, Willie said. She said that with the economic downturn, a lot of people are experiencing increased stress levels.
"People are turning to that as a way to cope," she said.
The group has no religious affiliation, Willie said, although several religious groups get involved with the campaign.
Free-speech groups have fought against the efforts to regulate such materials, citing studies that contend there is little evidence that pornography is dangerous.
"It's a battle that will probably go on forever," said Chris Reynolds, a member of several free-speech advocacy groups, including the Free Speech Coalition, and part owner of an adult-themed store in Las Vegas.
Reynolds said it should be up to parents to be responsible with adult materials, and not the government. He compared the issue to alcohol and tobacco, saying the issue is not with the actual item, but with how it is used and distributed.
"Education is fine," he said. "Censorship is not."
