What Actually Happens in ‘Violent Pornography’?

Lucrezia Magazine
Written by FCK

Phrases such as “extreme perversion”, “violent pornography” and “those abused in the making” give an imprecise description of the majority of the images and films under discussion. In most of the available material, the environment is highly controlled and regulated, deliberately set up as an artificial recreation. In general, the models and participants are extensively interviewed and every aspect of the intended recreation is explained in detail, so that each participant is well-informed. There are always many people on the location, carefully studying the participants’ mental state and psychological balance before, during and after the whole experience. These interviews are filmed and the models are given all the information about what is to happen and what to expect from the experience in writing. They are given a safe signal which they can use if needed, and they are watched in case they need assistance. The people creating the experience are knowledgeable in muscular, skeletal and neurological function, and there are medically proficient members of the crew, keeping watch on the event. There are also photographers and film crew taking the stills or film. This makes most of the material extremely safe, sane and consensual, with the participants protected, and in a secure, controlled environment. Therefore, the accusations that the material available is “violent”, “extreme perversion” and “abusive” towards those involved are in fact incorrect and inflammatory.The comparison of domestic abuse, child abuse, rape, torture, self-harm and sexual abuse with images that depict BDSM (aka ‘violent pornography’) shows a lack of understanding of BDSM practice. There is no consideration for or appreciation of the differences: instead, the images and films spoken of in the proposal are seen to be the same as exploitation and corruption, involving non-consensual aggression. In reality, the difference here is that people who commit acts such as domestic abuse, grievous bodily harm and sexual abuse violent others’ consent, are morally corrupt and need serious help. They are psychopathic, with no conscience and no social remorse. Graham Coutts, the murderer of Jane Longhurst, who had material deemed to be ‘violent porn’ on his computer, is an example of a person who is mentally unwell, with no empathy and no sense of wrong. Jane did not consent to what happened to her, but despite the laws in place at the time, a crime was still committed. People with sure moral and ethical minds know what is right and wrong, regardless of what laws are in place; they don’t need a law to tell them that to act out an image or a scene from a film on a non-consenting human being is strongly ill-advised, and entirely illegitimate. These people can make their own minds up and judge decently, justly and with conviction. The defence of ‘corruption’ from viewing an image is weak and inadequate. Others can see the same image over and over and not make the same choice. 60 years of research shows no conclusive evidence that these ‘violent images’ case violent acts.