December 1, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact:

Francesca Jensen
Director of Communications
National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families
513/521-6227, ext. 111

Cincinnati – The devastating effects of pornography addiction highlighted in yesterday’s poignant episode of Oprah, which exposed gospel singer Kirk Franklin’s sexual addiction, confirms no one is immune to sexual temptations and struggles, says the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families.

“We are glad Kirk Franklin, a person of such prominence and influence, has brought the serious problem of pornography addiction to light,” said Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the National Coalition.  “Unfortunately, it has only gotten worse with new advanced technology, which has the capability of transmitting pornographic pictures over handheld wireless devices.  What is even scarier, though, is that these sexually explicit images are now getting into the hands of more children and teens, who often times are the most technologically sophisticated members of society.  As evidenced by Kirk Franklin, whose addiction started at age 8 and continued through adulthood, young people exposed to pornography at such a young age can be deeply affected for years to come.”

The National Coalition has been raising awareness of the harms of pornography and its addictive nature since the organization’s inception in 1983.  However, the advent of Internet and advanced technology has dramatically increased the proliferation of sexually explicit material by providing an anonymous, affordable and accessible way for people to distribute and view pornography.