Anti-pornography bill revived

Alarmed by numerous complaints against some shops in the tourist district of Garapan openly trading pornographic materials, Rep. Malua T. Peter is trying to resurrect a three-year old legislative proposal that will impose stiffer penalties on violators.

She said the measure is very critical now in view of potential harmful effects of these “offensive” materials to minors and the increasing incidents of sex crimes on the island, including child molestation and rape.

“It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure that we have these restrictions in place and implement rules and regulations,” Peter said in an interview.

The independent legislator, who is seeking her third term at the House of Representatives, has received complaints from parents concerned over the proliferation of sex-themed shops on the streets of Garapan near major hotels.

“One parent told me that she could see these pornographic materials on the shop’s windows even by just driving around,” Peter said, adding that adult magazines and videos and sex toys are displayed in store shelves in full view of passersby.

She underscored the need to restrict the sale of these materials as she lamented the absence of law enforcers to clamp down on stores that don’t comply with existing laws against child pornography.

Peter, however, refused to blame the Department of Public Safety for failure to enforce the laws, and instead called on the community to be vigilant against businesses which promote this type of entertainment.

“Parents should stay away from these areas and ask local authorities to enforce the law,” she pointed out.

The bill, which Peter hopes to introduce in the next session, will amend the Commonwealth Code to require merchants to lock up all pornographic materials, require patrons to show identifications cards as well as to raise age limit from 16 to 18 years old.

It will seek a $5,000 penalty for every violation and may force the government also to shut down the business of repeat offenders, according to the representative.

This is the same legislation that was filed twice in the House during the 9th and 10th Legislature, but did not win enough votes from legislators to be considered as a law.

“I am hopeful that it will go through this time,” Peter explained. “I am asking my colleagues to look at this critical measure which we need to enact now.”