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Despite extensive research and public discourse on the effects of pornography on consumers, little attention has been given to the experiences of those filmed for its production. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with 28 individuals filmed for pornography, we explored what pornography represents for them and its implications for their lives. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three main themes: Coercion behind the illusion of desire, A public record, and Enduring impacts. Our findings challenge the notion that pornography predominantly features sexual acts devoid of coercion. We conclude by discussing the legal and practical implications of our findings.

Pornography has become increasingly prevalent and normalized within society, raising questions about how today’s adolescents might differ in their responses to and attitudes toward pornography compared to earlier generations. This study begins to fill this gap by comparing cross-sectional data from two cohorts of high school students in Sweden in 2004 (n = 4,266, mean age = 18.15, SD = 0.74, 53.9% girls) and 2020–21 (n = 3,256, mean age = 18.20, SD = 0.61, 55.4% girls). Gender-stratified bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were performed to examine the impact of survey year on outcomes. Results reveal an increase in frequent pornography use among both genders and a narrowing of the gender gap in responses and attitudes by 2020–21. Boys reported decreased arousal responses, fewer positive emotional responses, and were less inclined to imitate the behaviors seen in pornography. Girls were less averse to and upset by the pornography they encountered. Both genders became more tolerant of pornography, yet more critical of its purported benefits. Notable gender differences remain, especially with girls being more likely to recognize pornography as degrading and exploitative. These findings underscore the need for educational strategies that foster critical understandings of pornography and its societal impact.

Until recently, child sex trafficking and online child sexual exploitation were treated as distinct crimes against children, leading to siloed responses from victim services, legal and policy frameworks, and law enforcement. Technology has blurred this distinction, and a cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary response is needed as a first step to protect and respond effectively to victims. This paper presents the findings from a symposium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in June 2024. Children’s mental health and child welfare practitioners, researchers, policymakers, child advocates, law enforcement professionals, and community members with lived experience came together to explore the current state of knowledge, policy, and practice related to technologically-assisted child sex trafficking and exploitation and gaps in responses to child victims. Using thematic analysis, we identified two overarching themes. Sector-Specific Roles & Challenges highlights the roles, challenges, and gaps across five key stakeholder domains. Cross-Sector Imperatives underscores the institutional, survivor-, and child-led leadership required to move beyond silos. We conclude with recommendations across policy, practice, and research to build coordinated, survivor-centered support systems capable of meeting the challenges of emerging technologies.

This article challenges the consumer-centric view of pornography, which overlooks the exploitation and abuse of individuals documented in its production. The lack of conceptual clarity surrounding the nature of pornography obscures these abuses, leading to significant consequences for those affected. To address this, a conceptual framework is proposed—rooted in the lived experiences of individuals documented in pornography, informed by feminist scholarship, and grounded in the principle that technology-facilitated sexual violence is equivalent to its offline counterparts. The framework begins by asking the critical question, “What is the nature of the act that has occurred?” before examining the implications of its documentation and dissemination as pornography. Understanding the nature of the act, alongside its documentation and dissemination, is crucial for establishing the realities of pornography, exposing exploitation and abuse, correcting public perceptions, and informing policy and legal reform. By exposing the underlying nature and consequences of pornography, this framework aims to transform public discourse and drive the development of robust protection and support systems for those directly harmed by pornography.

Purpose: While research and public debate have increasingly focused on the effects of pornography consumption, the experiences of those documented in pornography have been largely overlooked. This study aims to address this gap by examining the vulnerabilities and health risks faced by this population.

Materials and methods: Individuals aged 18 and older documented in pornography in Sweden were recruited to participate in face-to-face interviews. A total of 120 participants completed study-specific questions and standardized questionnaires on their background, experiences in pornography, and health status. Descriptive statistics were reported, and regression analyses were performed to assess factors impacting PTSD symptom severity and dissociative symptoms.

Results: Participants reported high levels of abuse both in childhood and during pornography production. Nearly all participants had experienced sexual abuse (88%), psychological abuse (90%), and physical abuse (79%) as children. In the context of pornography production, they were subjected to further abuse and exploitation, including verbal abuse (87%), rape (65%), physical assault (56%), third-party control (56%), and online harassment (57%). The consequences of this continuous polyvictimization were significant: 84% exhibited clinically significant PTSD symptoms, 60% clinically significant dissociative symptoms, 69% had attempted suicide, and 80% had been diagnosed with at least one mental health problem. Regression analyses revealed that childhood and online polyvictimization significantly predicted PTSD symptom severity, while polyvictimization within pornography production predicted dissociative symptoms.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions and legal reform to protect this vulnerable population and address the unique harms stemming from documentation in pornography.