The evidence of harm to adults relating to exposure to extreme pornographic material: a rapid evidence assessment (REA)

Abstract

This document reports on a rapid evidence assessment (REA) of the evidence of harm relating to exposure to extreme pornographic material (EPM). EPM was defined as 'actual scenes or realistic depictions of: explicit intercourse or oral sex with an animal, explicit sexual interference with a human corpse, explicit serious violence in a sexual context and explicit serious sexual violence'. The REA addressed three research questions: 1. What effects does viewing EPM have on those adults who access it? 2. In particular is there any evidence that it causes or contributes to sexual or violent offending? 3. Is there any evidence that those adults who participate in making EPM are harmed by their involvement