The wildly successful film Sound of Freedom has shone a much needed spotlight on the worldwide scourge of sex trafficking.
While sex trafficking can seem shadowy and distant, many Westerners have not stopped to consider its ties to something much closer to home: pornography.
Pornography and hyper-sexualised advertising is so ubiquitous today that it requires vigilance to keep it off of our screens, away from our kids and out of our homes.
The good news is that every one of us can make a difference in the fight against sex trafficking: by waging war on pornography.
What sets Australian Christians Party apart is our opposition not just to sex trafficking, but our wholehearted rejection of the “pornafied” culture that creates the condition for sex trafficking in the first place.
There is an undeniable feedback loop between pornography and sex trafficking.
How are these two afflictions related?
First, by normalising exploitation. Much of the explicit content readily available today portrays scenarios where power imbalances and consent are skewed, harmful stereotypes and behaviours are reinforced, and violence is accepted and even glamorised. Pornography desensitises people to the harms of sexual exploitation, leading them to seek out real-world encounters with sex workers, some of whom may be victims of trafficking.
Second, by funding the same industry. Pornography and sex trafficking are financially interconnected. Often, the same individuals and networks are involved in both trades. Traffickers use pornography as a recruiting tool, promising vulnerable women quick money and fame in the adult entertainment industry that takes them down the treacherous path of exploitation and trafficking.
Third, through vulnerability. People who are drawn into the “sex industry”, whether through pornography or trafficking, often share common vulnerabilities, such as poverty, past trauma, or substance abuse issues. Pornography can be an entry point for traffickers to identify and target those who are already struggling, coercing them into a life of sexual slavery and abuse. In this way, pornography acts as a facilitator for the recruitment of new victims.
Fourth, through cultural impact. Pornography’s impact on our culture cannot be underestimated. As explicit content becomes increasingly mainstream and accessible, it contributes to a broader culture of objectification and dehumanisation. Women are reduced to mere commodities for sexual gratification, making it easier for traffickers to justify their heinous actions. This cultural shift not only perpetuates the cycle but also makes it more difficult to combat sex trafficking effectively.
These sad realities call for steadfast action. Australian Christians Party is committed to stopping the feedback loop between pornography and sex trafficking by combatting both.
We advocate for supporting survivors of trafficking, offering them resources and pathways to recovery. Additionally, it is our policy that pornography must be much more heavily regulated — in particular, through the implementation of age verification laws.
As an explicitly Christian party, we prize the safety, dignity and sanctity of all people as image-bearers of God. By knowing the divine value of every individual and shaping policy accordingly, we can reign in exploitative industries and protect vulnerable women and children.
Join with us today to end the feedback loop and make our world a safer place for everyone.
