24/06/2026
There is no such thing as “ethical” p0rn0graphy
P0rn0graphy is in itself a form of violence
Tomorrow, June 25, the Assembly of the Council of Europe will debate a report entitled “Violent po*******hy: a test for human rights”, drafted by Spanish Senator . This debate is expected to lead to the adoption of a resolution and a recommendation on this subject.
It is to be welcomed that “violent po*******hy” is a matter of concern to the Assembly and that the texts to be debated contain some positive recommendations.
However, these texts could be greatly improved, particularly with regard to the illusory distinction drawn between “po*******hy” and “violent po*******hy”.
Po*******hy is in itself a form of violence, both in its production—which is often characterised by the exploitation of vulnerable human beings—and in the consequences of its consumption, not only by children, who are sometimes very young, but also by adults.
There is no such thing as “ethical” po*******hy: it is po*******hy itself that constitutes “a test for human rights”, not just violent pornographic content.
This same artificial distinction underpinned Resolution 1835 on “Violent and extreme po*******hy”, adopted by the PACE in 2011. Yet it appears that the findings made by the Assembly at that time remain unchanged fifteen years later.
The scourge of po*******hy continues to pornify society, at the cost of numerous victims, particularly among women and children. The consumption of po*******hy remains as widespread as ever, amongst both adults and young people, and its consequences remain just as harmful to individuals, families and society as a whole. Furthermore, technological developments are enabling the emergence of new harmful practices in this area.
That is why PACE must seize this opportunity and be more ambitious if it truly wants to combat the violence of po*******hy.
To this end, parliamentarians have tabled pragmatic amendments that take account of the root causes of this problem and promote a better understanding of it.
