Show me the statistics to support a link between porn addiction and child abuse!
This is the assertion of Sexologist Dr Raj who was responding to recent comments from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar.
Persad – Bissessar called on the Government and stakeholders to begin discussions on the pornography epidemic and the exploitative over-sexualisation of children.
In a media statement on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said in light of recent media reports of more than 2,000 cases of sexual abuse of girls and 500 cases of sexual abuse of boys made to the Children’s Authority between 2020 and 2021, she felt compelled to speak on this issue.
She said there are several reasons for the increase in sexual abuse in T&T over the past decade but two of the main concerns are the over-sexualisation of children by adults and the pornography epidemic.
She added that during the COVID-19 lockdowns when extended periods were being spent at home, pornography viewing by children and adults skyrocketed, and this was a factor contributing to the increased cases of sexual abuse.
However speaking on the Power Breakfast Show this morning Dr Raj said that while he’s not completely disagreeing with her comments there seems to be an absence of proof to support it.
He said in his experience persons may misdiagnose themselves as having porn addiction when in fact they really don’t.
He explained that this is one of the reasons that a comprehensive study into the issue would have to be done, so that facts could be provided.