Warwick Marsh from Dads4Kids is helping to organise the Strategic Roundtable on "Pornography and the Increase in Sex Trafficking – How do we solve the problem?" along with Jason Huxley of "Go for Greatness". Mr Marsh said, "The shocking rape and murder of Jill Meagher in Melbourne has highlighted the need for action to turn the tide of pornography, which incites violence against women. The Premier of Victoria is right. We have to do something about the culture of violence against women which is pervading our society. To do something about the sexual violence we have to do something about pornography. Sexual assault has increased 20% in the ten years between 1999 and 2009. The time has come for action."
The Strategic Roundtable has been convened today with 14 other community groups and leaders who want to build a safer world for our children and especially our girls. Donny Pauling, former Porn Producer from the USA will be addressing the group on the damaging effects of porn, not only on the participants but on those who consume it.
Mr Pauling said, "It is sad to come to Australia at a time like this when the nation is in grief after the horrific murder and rape of Jill Meagher, but perhaps the people of Australia will head Premier Ted Ballieau's plea to turn the tide of violence against women. Warwick Marsh is right, in order to turn the tide of violence we must first do something about the porn problem.
"The reason I speak about what goes on 'behind the scenes' of porn is because someone needs to do so," says Donny. It is my goal to educate so that those who hear can make a more informed decision." And if anyone can educate about the real reality of porn, Donny is the man. He started producing porn in 1997 and by the time he'd given it up, he'd recruited over 500 college girls into the industry and had become a regular provider of content to some of the 'Big Names' in the industry.
"The money was excellent," says Donny. "I could work just 2 weeks a month and earn over half a million dollars a year. Who wouldn't want that?" But soon Donny would start to realise the implications of his actions. "In the 9 years I worked in the industry, I never had any of the girls I'd recruited call me and thank me for getting them into pornography. The only time I heard from them was when they called, begging me to take the videos down because their families and friends had found out.
I was sitting on the beach one time, when I got one of these calls. Afterwards I realised that my holiday was being paid by their pain."
Research shows that over 40% of internet users view porn and that around 70% of children are exposed to it at the age of 11. Worldwide porn revenues have now risen to over $100 billion dollars and it is readily accessible on the latest smartphones and tablets.
The Strategic Roundtable will report on their deliberations and call for action between 3.30 and 4.30pm this afternoon in Room 1R5 at Parliament House, Canberra.
A tribute to Jill Meagher by TodayTonight: