Sexually Explicit and Violent Media Material: Research and Policy Implications

• NCJ Number: 108971
• Author(s): P Wilson; S Nugent
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice; No.9

Annotation

This Australian study presents Australia's censorship classifications for videotapes that include material that is violent, sexually explicit, and sexually violent; documents the prevalence of videotape rentals of such material; reviews research on the behavioral effects of these kinds of videos; and offers policy suggestions.

Abstract

Although research has not established a causative link between media violence and violent offenses, many researchers are convinced that excessive media violence increases the chances that at least some viewers will behave more violently. Based on various national commission reports on pornography, nonviolent pornographic videos are less of a threat to society than are videos containing depictions of aggression and violence. Neither has a direct link been established between sexually violent material and aggression, but there is enough evidence to consider such material to be as harmful as other violent media depictions. Sexually violent material should be clearly distinguished from nonviolent sexual material in any policy debate or legislative action. A clear identification of sexually violent material could promote more efficient monitoring, regulation, and reduction of such material. 2 figures and 22 notes.