Sexual violence depicted online harming society, Kiwis say

Up to 90 per cent of New Zealand participants believed online depictions of sexual violence are moderately or very harmful to society. Photo / File

The majority of New Zealanders feel online depictions of sexual violence is harming our society.

And many also believe there is a connection between pornography and issues including rape culture and sexting.

A survey of a total of 750 people from around the country showed 90 per cent felt sexual violence depicted online was "moderately or very harmful'' to society.

Sixty-eight per cent of participants felt it was "very harmful'' to society while nearly half believed there was "a lot'' of connection between online pornography and public issues such as a rape culture.

The Pornography Poll was carried out by Curia Market Research this month and was commissioned by Family First NZ.

Other figures showed 62 per cent of Kiwi adults had come across porn online while not seeking it out, while 13 per cent said that happened often and 48 per cent saying it happened occasionally.

Family First national director Bob McCoskrie said the results indicated there was a growing concern about the issue among communities.

"Society is starting to catch up with the science on the harms of pornography and are now calling for better support and protection of families and young people.

"There has been an important national conversation around consent and rape culture.

"At the same time, there is increasing consumption and availability of online pornography and sexual violence - it's time we connected the dots.''

Of the people who took part, 91 per cent said they felt it was too easy for children under 18 to access pornography online.

The majority of participants - 81 per cent - agreed that internet providers should be required by the Government to offer filters to block pornographic content, while 70 per cent of people said internet providers should be blocking porn automatically, unless a person has turned off a filter.

McCoskrie said: "Thanks to the availability, affordability and anonymity of the internet and smartphones, young children are exposed to what used to be referred to as hardcore - but now mainstream - pornography at an alarming rate.

"Parents are crying out for help.''