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Rape Pornography%2C Cultural Harm and Criminalization Accepted.pdf (427.57 kB)

Rape pornography, cultural harm and criminalization

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-21, 06:02 authored by Tanya PalmerTanya Palmer
In 2015 the offence of possessing extreme pornography (Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, s63) was extended to cover the possession of pornographic images of rape. Proponents of the legislation claim that rape pornography is ‘culturally harmful’, because it normalizes and legitimates sexual violence. Critics have dismissed ‘cultural harm’ as poorly defined and lacking evidence. However, critical engagement with, and development of, this concept has been limited on both sides of the debate. This article fills that gap through a sustained theoretical exposition of the concept of cultural harm and detailed analysis of its role in justifying the criminalization of rape pornography. It makes the case that at least some rape pornography is culturally harmful, but nevertheless concludes that criminalization of the possession of rape pornography is not an appropriate response to that harm.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly

ISSN

0029-3105

Publisher

Queen's University Belfast, School of Law

Issue

1

Volume

69

Page range

37-58

Department affiliated with

  • Law Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-03-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-03-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-03-27

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