Series S1 - Legislation and Reports

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Legislation and Reports

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CA ON0034 10-086-S1

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36 cm of textual records

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(1984-199[?])

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The Committee Against Pornography (CAP) was formed in February 1984 by Stephanie Holbick and Alison Kerr as a voluntary organization of Toronto women "concerned about the proliferation of pornographic images and messages in Canadian society." Most CAP members were also involved with other women's groups, but viewed the organization as a venue through which to focus more specifically on action against sexually explicit images of women that they viewed as harmful and degrading. CAP explored legal means of eliminating the sale and distribution of pornography in Canada. They argued that violent and degrading pornography encouraged violence against women, and represented women as the men's sexual playthings. In other words, they argued that pornography is one of the root causes of violence against women.

CAP thus falls squarely in the "anti-porn" camp of the feminist porn wars, in opposition to pro-sex or sex-positive feminists who rejected what they viewed as moral puritanism, and worried that censorship laws were a threat to the free speech of sexual minorities. The CAP defined pornography as any material which depicts a power relationship in order to sexually stimulate the viewer; however, they were not against erotica, which they defined as non-violent, non-degrading sexual material which does not use power relationships to stimulate the consumer. The group also sought tougher legislation surrounding child pornography, importation of pornographic material, and display of sexually explicit magazines in variety stores and other public places. CAP also provided other women's organizations with research, reports, and lobby material related to the censorship of pornography and public violence against women.
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Le Committee Against Pornography (CAP) a été créé en février 1984 par Stephanie Holbick et Alison Kerr en tant qu'organisation bénévole de femmes de Toronto "préoccupées par la prolifération des images et des messages pornographiques dans la société canadienne". La plupart des membres de CAP étaient également impliquées dans d'autres groupes de femmes, mais considéraient l'organisation comme un moyen de se concentrer plus spécifiquement sur l'action contre les images sexuellement explicites de femmes qu'elles considéraient comme nuisibles et dégradantes. La CAP a étudié les moyens juridiques d'éliminer la vente et la distribution de pornographie au Canada. Elle a fait valoir que la pornographie violente et dégradante encourageait la violence à l'égard des femmes et les représentait comme des jouets sexuels pour les hommes. En d'autres termes, ils ont affirmé que la pornographie était l'une des causes profondes de la violence à l'égard des femmes.

La CAP se situe donc carrément dans le camp "anti-porno" des guerres féministes du porno, en opposition aux féministes pro-sexe ou sex-positives qui rejetaient ce qu'elles considéraient comme un puritanisme moral et craignaient que les lois sur la censure ne menacent la liberté d'expression des minorités sexuelles. La PAC définit la pornographie comme tout matériel qui met en scène une relation de pouvoir dans le but de stimuler sexuellement le spectateur ; toutefois, elle n'est pas opposée à l'érotisme, qu'elle définit comme un matériel sexuel non violent et non dégradant qui n'utilise pas de relations de pouvoir pour stimuler le consommateur. Le groupe a également demandé une législation plus stricte concernant la pornographie enfantine, l'importation de matériel pornographique et l'exposition de magazines sexuellement explicites dans les magasins de variétés et autres lieux publics. La CAP a également fourni à d'autres organisations de femmes des recherches, des rapports et du matériel de lobbying concernant la censure de la pornographie et la violence publique à l'égard des femmes.

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This series contains material related to CAP's lobbying efforts, particularly in the fields of customs and censorship. CAP argued that there should be more thorough inspection of violent and pornographic material imported to Canada from the Unite States. They also sought enforcement of censorship laws for pornographic material displayed in variety stores and other public places. This series thus includes drafts and final copies of reports that CAP submitted to the federal and provincial governments, and other material related to customs and censorship regulation. Much of this material is related to the Fraser Committee, also known as the Special Committee on Pornography and Prostitution, which was convened by the Justice Department of Canada to study social problems related to sex work.

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