A RECENTLY-formed youth movement that challenges modern standards on
sexual integrity has called on the Federal Government to tighten
advertising laws and install values-based sex education in schools.
By Anthony Barich
Deacon University International studies student Matthew Restall, and University of Notre Dame Sydney Behavioural Science student Judi Limbers, both 20, made the recommendations representing RISE (restoring integrity and sexual ethics) at the August 13 National Marriage Day Breakfast at Parliament House.
They also recommended information packages for schools that inform parents of the current problems that their teenagers are faced with and strategies to deal effectively with these.
They also called for a government enquiry into the exploitation of women and the victimisation of men as the result of the advertising industry and all forms of media in popular culture.
They recommended avenues of assistance for exploited women and the establishment of help-lines for those with an addiction to pornography.
“We are calling on the government to address this crucial issue that means families, children and even the young people it’s aimed at can’t go out their front door without being bombarded by explicit sexual language and imagery,” they said.
“Let’s stop pretending that children aren’t reading and viewing this the same as the old and young adults it’s aimed at, and being affected by it. Legislative reform in the media industry, that the government can bring about, is a pertinent step in restoring meaning to human sexuality.”
They said that recognising where the culture has failed individuals and establishing ways that victims of the exploitative media may seek assistance are the starting point to restore a culture “saturated with messages that promote pleasure at the expense of human dignity”.
“We hold that human sexuality is so fundamental to the dignity of each human person, and is worth protecting and fighting for,” they said.
Mr Restall, from Werribee, had success last year petitioning in Victoria and NSW to stop “offensive” billboards and vehicle advertisements by having 120 “Longer lasting sex” ads removed by the Advertising Standards Bureau.
Discussing a broad range of topics from the meaning of sex and marriage to the crisis society faces with sexual advertising and pornography, the RISE team assessed ways youth could respond to concerns that are “so real and relevant on a day-to-day basis”.
“Sexual ethics in Australia have come to a place where wholesome values are no longer on the menu,” they said.
“The RISE team is therefore not aimed at imposing, but proposing an alternative way of viewing the value of human sexuality, that aims at the integral fulfilment of the human person. “As young people, in our experience, we are sick of being faced with an over-sexualised culture.”