31 October 2002 Doctors For Life applaud High Courts decision on child porn Doctors For Life International (DFL) is pleased with the judgement of the Johannesburg High Court that there should not be exceptions to the rule that makes it illegal to be in the possession of child pornography. In this particular case DFL testified for the State on the effects of pornography on the brains of those looking at it. The court held in the judgement that no one has the right to possess child pornography - not even for research and in the privacy of their own homes. DFL presented some of the latest research on the effects of pornographic images on the brain. The research showed that pornographic images bypass certain safety centres in the brain. Usually photographic images, unlike real life images, pass through a centre in the brain that allows the individual to decide whether the image is real and should be stored as such or discarded. Pornographic images, however, shortcuts this centre and are stored in the brain like a real life experience. This has dramatic impact on the behaviour of people exposed to this kind of material and often remains embedded in their memories for long periods. In the judgement judge Hilton Epstein referred to the DFL's affidavit as containing information that was highly relevant to the issues before the court. DFL was pleased to be able to lead expert evidence in the matter which enabled the court to base it's decision on solid science. DFL is an organisation of more than 800 medical doctors, specialists and professors of medicine from South Africa and around the world. Enquiries: Dr Charles Chouler Telephone: (021) 715-7063 DFL office telephone: (031) 764-0443 mail@dfl.org.za |
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