LOS ANGELES — A national survey of sex educators by the Woodhull Freedom Foundation found that a majority of sex educators and sexual health professionals are concerned that age verification (AV) laws will negatively impact access to information and resources.
According to the results, 73% of sex educators are concerned that the legislation will impact their work, and 76% fear that the laws could be used to restrict access to sex education and related resources. Furthermore, 33% in states with laws currently in effect, and 18% nationally, believe that their work has already been affected.
Among sexual health professionals, 58% responded that they believe that AV laws could be used to restrict access to education and resources, with 53% saying they believe the laws have already had an impact.
"Age-verification laws are already impacting sex education in the U.S.," said Woodhull President and CEO Ricci Levy. "Again and again, we were told this was only about keeping minors from accessing porn. Woodhull warned these vague and overly broad policies would also result in censorship of vital, non-explicit information about sex and gender, and the data bear this out. The current age-verification protocols are ripe for abuse, and educators are right to be scared."
For more information, visit WoodhullFoundation.org.
