A Canadian-made documentary tackling the impact of pornography on children and youth will be shown in Williams Lake next week.
Over 18 was produced by Canadian charity, Hope for the Sold, and follows the true story of a boy who became addicted to pornography at the age of nine while playing on his computer in his family’s living room, said screening host Emily Epp.
The film has several interviews with experts from around the world as well as people who are still active in the porn industry today.
Over 18 will be shown Wednesday, March 8 starting at 6 p.m. at Paradise Cinemas which is co-hosting the screening with the Mosaic Church and Williams Lake Alliance Church.
Following the film, Epp said local professionals who work with children, youth and families will participate in a panel discussion on the topic and answer questions from the audience.
Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 which will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District in support of their work with children and youth.
Over 18 tackles an issue that many people would rather ignore: the effects of pornography on children and youth, Hope for the Sold reports.
In an interview with CBC, Jared Brock, founder of Hope for the Sold and the film’s director said: “Ninety per cent of boys under the age of 18 have looked at porn and 60 per cent of girls… The stuff that they’re accessing isn’t the Playboy that the previous generation saw – breasts in a magazine. It’s body-punishing sex.”
Hope for the Sold quotes statistics indicating that nine out of 10 boys view pornography, with the average age of exposure being just 12 years old.
However, it is not just a male issue. Sixty per cent of girls have seen porn by age 18, and 57 per cent of girls and 83 per cent of boys have seen group sex online.
To find out more about the documentary and the work of Hope for the Sold visit over18doc.com.