Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 2, 1993 TAG: 9304300022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In Virginia, the statistics are growing to an alarming level. Of all the cases I have been involved with, the ones that most stand out in my mind are sexual-abuse cases of children in this area.
The mental scars of sexual abuse also take their toll in future relationships with family, friends and, of course, in marriage. Child sexual abuse more than doubled from 4.8 percent in 1980 to 11.8 percent in 1990. Children less than 6 years of age represented 34 percent of the victims.
In dealing with abuse as a team member of the New River Valley sexual abuse team, I have become increasingly aware of a growing trend: the association of pornography with the actual act of sexual abuse of children. More and more, I see a pattern in the use of video and magazine pornography either before, during or after the abuse takes place.
Pornography is now a multimillion-dollar industry, yet at the cost of many innocent victims, including children. Its effect is also seen in increasing sexual violence and belittlement of women in society.
After listening to a 6-year-old girl describe how someone had abused her while she was forced to watch a pornographic video rented at a local video store, I decided to investigate some of the video stores. Much to my surprise, I discovered that many had a back room with explicit sexual movies much like the ones the child was forced to see.
I do not think I am alone in my feelings toward pornography. When the general public is aware of its long-reaching destructive effects, perhaps it will take whatever action needed to fight it, whether passing anti-obscenity laws, writing letters to the owners of businesses selling this stuff or even boycotting their businesses. If store owners and pornography publishers could talk with that 6-year-old, I'm sure it would convince them that the profit is not worth the cost, particularly if the 6-year-old had been their daughter or granddaughter.
I noticed that many of the video stores and businesses that sell pornography placed blue ribbons on their doors in April to show their support for child abuse awareness month. What a perfect example of "symbolism over substance."
If they were really concerned, they would start by removing a common source of the child abuser's viewing and reading material. Only then will the blue ribbons of these establishments show true compassion and love for these little ones.\ Dr. Wayne Brackenrich\ Rich Creek
by CNB