Warrnambool woman Maree Crabbe’s latest documentary, The Porn Factor, exposes an at-times confronting message about young people’s views towards sex and relationships.

It is a message that raises a number of red flags – for parents and teachers and for other adults who live and work with young people. 

It shows young people are gaining potentially damaging and unrealistic guidelines and ideas on what constitutes as “normal”. 

With the advancement of technology and a greater accessibility to technology and the internet, young people have many tools to access material that their parents and teachers are likely unaware of.

The community must ensure their life experiences are not limited, but that their attitudes are shaped in an educated and responsible way. 

It would be easy to call for a ban on porn – but that is unrealistic in a free society.

“Violence against women is a huge problem right across the world. It crosses cultural, religious, class and age divisions. Pornography isn’t the only, or even the most important, cause of violence against women, but it is one that is increasingly prevalent in our culture and it’s time we addressed it,” Crabbe says.

“What we want is for young people to have the chance to have relationships and sexuality that are mutually respectful, fully consenting and safe.” 

Emily Lee-Ack, the executive officer of Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, says the issues stemming from the influence of porn should not be dealt with in isolation.

“That is not just about sex; it’s the way we treat each other in all situations. We need to equip our children so they can critically analyse what they are seeing,” she says.

Crabbe’s work is to be commended. After The Porn Factor airs on SBS2 next week, it should kick-start important conversations within homes and classrooms – not only within the south-west but across the country. 

Responsible education is the key to shaping responsible attitudes among young people. While the documentary is confronting viewing, it is vital parents and children open their minds in the hope of creating a better environment for women and relationships throughout their lives.