MANSFIELD — This past June the U.S. State Department identified nearly twenty-five million people entrapped in the modern-day slavery of human trafficking. In response to the crisis, fifteen states have officially declared pornography an epidemic and public health crisis. If local clergy have their way, Ohio may be the next to make such a declaration.
Last night several clergy presented a draft resolution endorsed by Richland County clergy from seventy-four congregations to the Richland Public Board of Health requesting the Board declare pornography as a public health crisis.
“Due to its affiliation to human trafficking, we would like the Board to consider making this declaration,” said Reverend El Akuchie of Godsfield House of Prayer. “Our hope is this resolution will encourage education, prevention, research, and policy changes at the state level to confront pornography’s proliferation on the Internet and in society.”
(Photo courtesy of Kathy Marshall)
According to Pastor Mark Meyer of Gracepoint Sanctuary, pornography exploits women and children, a reality which the nation’s judicial system has turned a blind eye to.
“This resolution by the faith community urges enforcement of obscenity laws and increased regulation of pornography on the Internet at both the state and federal levels in order to protect citizens and minors from such exposure.”
Pastor Meyer and his clergy counterparts also believe the draft board of health resolution could bring momentum at the state level.
The Ohio General Assembly is currently considering House Resolution 180, sponsored by nineteen state representatives, including our Representative Mr. Mark Romanchuk. HR 180 declares pornography a “public health hazard that leads to a spectrum of individual and societal harms.”
“As a diverse group of clergy, we believe if word got out of a multi-sector partnership between an engaged faith community and local government, strategically, it could deter potential human traffickers from establishing operations in our region.”
Reverend El Akuchie, Godsfield House of Prayer
Pastor James Marshall of Ganges Community Church points out the pornography epidemic “without a doubt” pertains to the health department.
“The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is a member of the Governor’s Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, and according to its website, ranks Ohio as fifth among all states in total reported human trafficking cases. The Task Force also identifies Toledo as the fourth highest ranking city in the nation for recruiting victims into the illegal trade.”
The draft resolution also states ODH and local health departments are tasked with the responsibility of compiling vital stats recording total births, marriages/divorces, sexually transmitted diseases, and suicides, which are all “observed to be adversely impacted by the addiction to pornography.”
In 2015, area pastors from sixty-six congregations called for a day of prayer, repentance, and fasting from the “sin of immorality” which included the use of pornography. The following year eight of the nine municipalities in Richland County officially proclaimed “Pornography Awareness Week.”
Nine years earlier, seventy-two clergy brought an objection to the Board of Health for its support of a Portsmouth syringe exchange program. The support was discontinued in response to the clergy.
“As a diverse group of clergy, we believe if word got out of a multi-sector partnership between an engaged faith community and local government, strategically, it could deter potential human traffickers from establishing operations in our region,” says Reverend Akuchie.
Article updated August 18, 2020
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