University of Tennessee's "Sex Week" Pornography Sessions Violate State Obscenity Law with Exposure to Minors - Topics Objectify Women and Foster Environment for Sexual Harassment

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anti-trafficking, safe media, and public policy groups including Girls Against Porn & Human Trafficking, Concerned Women for America, Beverly LaHaye Institute, Enough is Enough, Movieguide, Trafficking in America Task Force, and Pink Cross Foundation are petitioning the University of Tennessee Chancellor, President and executive officers to halt "Sex Week" sessions on the grounds that it potentially violates Tennessee state obscenity laws while creating a hostile environment for female students and does not include factual evidence that illegal pornography creates a demand for trafficking.

"The University is potentially violating Tennessee law by not reviewing the content of 'Sex Week' in depth and materials brought by those invited," said Tiffany Leeper, founder of Girls Against Porn & Human Trafficking.  "The University is also violating the Department of Education's Civil Rights Letter of Finding requiring policies that prohibit sexual harassment-related activities that create a hostile and sexually charged environment for females on campus."

University of Tennessee representatives' recorded testimony earlier this summer noted that full content evaluation was not conducted by the General Counsel to assess whether or not illegal obscene materials would be distributed at the events.

A female porn producer will be presenting, along with the session "Ars Erotica: Pornography Then & Now," featuring "erotic images" from the world, comparing them with modern forms of pornography.

University of Tennessee representatives stated publically in Committee meetings, that if any activity or event directly violated any law, clubs would not be granted funds or be allowed to exist.

"The university is risking obscenity law violations along with Department of Education Civil Rights complaints and an investigation of pornographic material distribution based on the content described in Sex Week for 10 students who want to gather to watch illegal content. " said Leeper.  "It's a travesty that that these students do not understand that little girls are being forced to have sex with 20-30 men a day through trafficking, because of demand created by the very thing they are promoting on campus which is adult hard-core porn.  If they want to exercise their free speech, why don't they speak up for girls who are trafficked because of porn addictions?" 

"Pornography promotes rape, fuels trafficking, and promotes violence against women. Unfortunately, these students aren't standing up for rights of women who are objectified in pornography, but are aligning with those who are promoting illegal content, and who support the objectification, rape, and torture of women," said Leeper.

"If the University of Tennessee community feels "We Can't Stop: Orgasms & Masturbation" – abides by the university's requirement to provide content and programs that contribute to the students "intellectual development," then the University of Tennessee is the place to attend," Leeper continued.

The petitioners would rather see students research how porn contributes to the objectification of women and violence against women instead of potentially distributing illegal materials to minors.

The coalition of organizations welcomes other organizations and concerned citizens to join in efforts and alert others about potential violation of obscenity laws in Tennessee, in addition to filing a compliant with the Department of Education's Civil Rights Department by calling, 404-974-9406, or via email: OCR.Atlanta(at)ed.gov. The petition calls for the University's President to halt any event where the distribution of obscene materials would occur.

The F.B.I. field office has been notified of planned illegal distribution of pornographic material to minors on campus. Some leadership in the coalition are organizing efforts to support Senator Stacey Campfield's bill, SB 1608, that would curb funding for student groups.  To sign the petition that is being sent to the University's Chancellor, President, executives, Department of Education's Civil Rights Department, F.B.I., and the Tennessee Attorney General, click below:

http://www.libertyactioncenter.com/campaign/5302b963-6890-4068-86e4-5fb932741282

Media Contact: Lesley Bateman
Phone: 813.849.0076
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Girls Against Porn & Human Trafficking