March may be cold, but it's hot and heavy here at OnMilwaukee.com as we celebrate our first-ever Sex Week. We're taking a mature look at local video and sex toy shops, area strip clubs, sexy Milwaukee events -- and even some connections between Brew City and Playboy magazine. It's serious, responsible, adult-themed content -- but don't worry, parents, we'll keep it PG-13 in case junior stumbles upon these stories as OnMilwaukee.com turns a pale shade of blue for seven days.
As you probably gleaned by now, this past week was Sex Week on OnMilwaukee.com, and we published an array of articles including interviews with local women working in the adult entertainment industry. The interviews are, hopefully, provocative and entertaining, and above all, non-judgmental.
But Dr. Sara Johann, who sent me a couple of e-mails during Sex Week, believes pornorgraphy is detrimental.
Johann is the author of "Sourcebook on Pornography," and she believes exposure to porn can lead to rape, abuse and domestic violence. Johann has appeared on "Sally Jessy Raphael" as an expert, testified in a death penalty case and taught abuse clinics around the country.
I asked Johann three questions about the porn industry, and here are her responses:
OnMilwaukee.com: In your opinion, how does porn lead to violence and domestic abuse?
Sara Johann: My book cites hundreds of examples. (Make) a quick call to the Milwaukee Police Department sex crimes unit and ask the question of how often pornography is found to be involved in rape and molestation cases might also help you (understand) this issue.
OMC: What is porn?
SJ: I spent large portions of the five years of research and writing my book, as well as a year working on proposed laws on that topic as an attorney working for the Wisconsin Legislature and finally came up with a very detailed definition of pornography in my book … Pornography is a hate crime which primarily targets women for abuse and hatred.
OMC: Is there a place for porn?
SJ: No, there is no place for porn. There may be a place for "erotica" which is sexually explicit material of a non-exploitive, nonviolent, loving nature.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
