NEWS RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2010 Contact: Erica Jesberger, 544-4916
Hollywood currently releases 11,000 adult movies per year, more than 20 times the mainstream movie production. Worldwide sex industry sales for 2006 were reported to be $97 billion; in comparison, Microsoft reported sales of $44.8 billion in 2006. A study of exotic dancers found that 100 percent had been physically assaulted in the clubs where they were employed, including attempted vaginal penetration, attempted rape, and rape. Twenty-five to 30 percent of male students surveyed in 1983 admitted there is some likelihood they would rape a woman if they could be assured of getting away with it. This increased to 57 percent after exposure to sexually violent images, particularly sexually violent images depicting women enjoying rape. Is the price of pleasure too high?
The Price of Pleasure is a mature documentary about the rapidly growing pornography industry and its effects on American society. Segments from the film will be shown at 6 p.m. tonight, Monday, February 1 in room L102 of the Columbia Basin College Pasco campus. Following the viewing, an examination of the industrys racist and sexist practices as well as the changes it is bringing upon American culture will be discussed by one of the films academic commentators, Robert Jensen, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Topics to be covered include the effects of pornography on an individuals ability to have normal relationships, the psychology of addiction, and social issues such as domestic violence, which may be attributed to this growing phenomenon in America. This event is designed to help students think critically about the effects of pornography on our culture and to begin an informed dialogue on the topic with the goal of helping students answer the question: Is the price of pleasure too high?
Due to the mature nature of the film, viewer discretion is advised.