Helmy says the mission of BPAV is simple.
“It’s up to us to get a positive message out in order to protect our rights and secure the future of adult entertainment as a professional, profitable industry,” Helmy said. “It’s in our best interest to self-regulate and to let people know that we support responsible practices.”
AVN Publisher Paul Fishbein, one of the first members of the adult community to submit a Statement of Support, added, “Considering the amount of scrutiny the adult industry receives from the government and the media, it behooves video producers and content providers to run their businesses ethically. At AVN, we always felt that protecting the working conditions of the performers was of paramount importance, but difficult to monitor. So the formation of BPAV is a good thing that I hope will encourage people to ensure better conditions for performers and a safe work environment.”
Helmy said he hoped BPAV will attract interest from every sector of the adult entertainment community, a sentiment echoed by Cybersocket President and co-founder Morgan Sommer.
“Tim [Lutz] and I have been in favor of a pan-industry trade association and self-regulatory system,” Sommer said. “In my opinion, this type of organization, if organized on a foundation of sound philosophical ideals, can have the effect of helping our industry evolve in a healthy way and to preserve our right to engage in the businesses we have built.”
At the core of BPAV’s mission is the BPAV seal, which can be downloaded at BPAV.org/support.html and placed on a company’s website, video box cover, video intro/disclaimer sequence or print materials to express support for proactive responsibility.
Helmy said BPAV does not plan to have officers nor any official hierarchy. Instead, it will be a voluntary effort on the part of any adult industry professionals who wish to participate by using the BPAV seal, making a Statement of Support and getting the message out to their colleagues, co-workers and customers.
“There’s strength in numbers, so we’re hoping as many people in the industry as possible will support BPAV,” Helmy said. “We’re hoping that this sparks discussions and ideas about issues in the industry.”
Among those issues is the treatment of adult performers. BPAV promotes respect for performers, which includes full disclosure in advance of the nature of any shoot, specifying explicitly who they will be working with and the types of acts they will be performing.
“Because many of the performers are young, the industry needs to set an example and send the message that working in the adult business can be a positive experience,” Fishbein pointed out.
Helmy added that BPAV also advocates performers taking responsibility for their health and safety, especially protecting themselves against sexually transmitted diseases.
