A woman whose father had used pornography in his sexual abuse of her from the age of three testified:

I was nothing but a pornographic tool for his use. I cannot distinguish the difference between sex and pornography. Because of my sexual abuse as a child I am extremely against pornography, and because of pornography I cannot enjoy sex.^[875]

Other witnesses attributed feelings of sexual insecurity and inadequacy to experiences with pornography. For example, a woman whose husband attempted to force her to view pornography testified:

It was at that point, early in our relationship, that I began to think that there was something wrong with me. After all, if I loved this person, why didn't I share his enthusiasm?^[876]

Another woman who said her husband had sexually abused her through the use of pornography testified:

I thought that I was either a frigid, uncaring wife, but that's the idea; I have received messages from my husband.^[877]

Another woman whose husband was an avid consumer of pornography testified:

It finally progressed to the desire for exchanging parties and sex orgies with many partners. He again told me there was something wrong with me because I would not share him with others and I did not enjoy sex.^[878]

* * *

I can still remember when I told him I still loved him and I would not divorce him if he would change. He said I was sexually cold and selfish....^[879]

He was convinced there was something wrong with me because I could no longer respond to him. In fact, I felt very uncomfortable whenever he touched me. He continually told me I was cold, even though he had nothing to offer me. And I believe this was justifying his involvement with pornography.^[880]

Notes

875. Chicago Hearing, Vol. II, p. 98.
876. Houston Hearing, Vol. I, pp. 58-59.
877. Chicago Hearing, Vol. I, p. 24.
878. Chicago Hearing, Vol. I, p. 154.
879. Id., pp. 157.
880. Id., pp. 154.