The Wire

Today, a forum on the topic of sexual integrity is being wrapped up at Parliament House in Canberra. The forum was initiated by Warwick Marsh, an evangelical Christian who runs the Fatherhood Foundation. He said the aim of the Sexual Integrity Forum was to promote quality relationships between men and women and to also end sexual exploitation of women and children in Australia in the 21st century. The conference’s keynote speaker was Dr Mary Anne Layden, a psychotherapist and director of education at the center for cognitive therapy at the university of Pennsylvania. She told attendees about the dangers posed by pornography because of its exploitation of and the damage it does to couples and individuals who access it. Also speaking at the conference were former sex workers and a 22-year-old man whose addiction to internet pornography nearly ruined his relationship. However, one group was noticeable by its absence ? those who make pornography. This report by the Wire’s Erica Vowles begins with comments from Dr Layden, outlining her concerns about pornography.