Mrs Hercus attacks pornography

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 6

Mrs Hercus attacks pornography

PA Palmerston North Pornography tells grotesque lies about women, makes them appear less than human, and reinforces the myth that women enjoy rape, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mrs Hercus, told Zonta Club members in Palmerston North. Mrs Hercus, addressing more than 80 members of tbe Palmerston North club on Tuesday evening, said one pornographic video available showed a nine-year-old girl being .'repeatedly raped, and claiming she enjoyed it In another, a women taxi driver picked up male passengers so that she could have sex with them. When one man turns on her and bashes her semiunconscious before raping her, she said she was beyond caring "because only this man could give me what I wanted.” "What he gave her was rape and death,” Mrs Hercus said. The Minister compared this with real-life rapists who had told courts: . She semi-struggled but deep down inside I think she felt it was a fantasy come true.” Mrs Hercus said others had said women liked to be overpowered before sex, and further com-

pared that with a judge in an incest case who said that an eight year-old victim was "provocative.” Evidence showed there was a cumulative effect from pornography which was reinforced by dominant messages in the mass media. "Sex and violence are constantly linked together, promoting the idea that this linkage is normal and socially acceptable,” she said. A particularly perverted role model was the rapist who was portrayed as a “hero.” “Pornography sanctions acts of violence against women and children,” Mrs Hercus said. While the Government would soon legislate against the worst of pornographic videos, Mrs Hercus said “soft pom” would peddle the same message.

“The Government cannot and has no wish to place a constable behind every curtain, to spy on the private lives of New Zealand citizens.” But she said it did intend to build a more equal society, destroying sexist myths. "A society which sees pornography for what it is — sexist, offensive, and unrealistic,” she said.