I have always wondered whether ‘porn addiction’ was a real thing. Lots of people watch porn. Men, certainly, are quite open about watching it. Women not so much, often because it’s not particularly catered to women, although that is changing. But, given the size of the industry, it’s fair to say it’s pretty standard behaviour.
But addiction to porn? I just don’t know.
There were numerous disturbing aspects to the recent case of Magnus Meyer Hustveit, who repeatedly raped his girlfriend as she lay sleeping beside him. One of the things that bothered me most about it was his assertion that he did it because she wouldn’t let him watch porn. Porn addiction doesn’t seem to have formed a part of his legal defence (that I know of) but it sounds like he was trying to use it as an excuse.
What do you think? Is porn addiction a real thing? Where should people go for help? Is help available? I would love to know your thoughts…