Pornography and the Abuse of Canadian Women in Dating Relationships

Thinking Sociologically About Image-Based Sexual Abuse

“…A few studies found that the contribution of pornography to woman abuse in intimate heterosexual relationships is related to male peer support (DeKeseredy & Schwartz, 1998; 2009; Hall-Sanchez, 2014; Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1998). Further, some men learn to sexually objectify women through their exposure to pornographic media (DeKeseredy & Corsianos, 2016; Dines, 2010).…”

Separation/Divorce Sexual Assault

“…A few studies find that the contribution of pornography to woman abuse in dating is related to male peer support (DeKeseredy & Schwartz, 1998a;Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1998). For example, some men learn to sexually objectify women through their exposure to pornographic media (Jensen, 1995), and they often learn these lessons in groups, such as pornographic film showings at fraternity houses (Sanday, 1990).…”

“…For example, it may well be that for men who are physically and sexually abusing women, pornography is just one more weapon in their arsenal. Thus, a man who knows that his partner would be scared or angry might not try to expose her to the lessons he learned from a pornographic movie, whereas his abusive friend might try to force his estranged partner to act out such scenes over her objections (Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1998). In a somewhat related argument, it might very well be that the same factors that cause a man to abuse women also cause him to purchase pornography.…”