New York Lawmakers Target Online Violence

NEW YORK — New York lawmakers are now targeting what they erroneously refer to as online "violence porn" — which is material that graphically depicts criminal assaults, such as the popular high-school "cat fight" videos seen on YouTube.

The sensationalized misuse of the word "porn" in this context is an obvious attention-getting scam designed to polarize public opinion on material that typically lacks any sexual component whatsoever.

Lawmakers believe that the sharing of these videotaped crimes assaults victims a second time and promotes this reprehensible cultural phenomenon.

"They make me sick," said Sen. John Flanagan. "We should never, ever, ever glorify this type of behavior."

The bill would make "unlawful violent recording" — or encouraging others to engage in these crimes — a felony; with penalties of up to four years in prison.

Noted free speech attorney Lawrence Walters believes that despite the New York initiative and several similar efforts nationwide, such a law would face an uphill battle when subjected to court review.

"Any time that you attempt to criminalize media based on its content, that is antithetical to the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech," Walters said. "The only media that the courts have agreed to criminalize, or authorize to be prohibited, are obscenity and child pornography. Everything else is presumed to be protected by the Constitution."

Although Sen. Joseph Robach acknowledged that showing a video might be a free speech right, the abuse being depicted is a crime that is not covered under the First Amendment.

"What created it — being violent — is not the First Amendment right," Robach said.

Civil remedies for these grievances already exist, however.

"We've dealt with some of the fallout from the bum fights-type media, where later on somebody who was involved in the filming comes back and says somebody was paid to assault me," Walters said. "That would be a civil claim for damages. That's permitted in our society if somebody feels they were taken advantage of."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Brittney Kade Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Brittney Kade stars in "Sweat Slut Licks Pretty Pits for Bear Fuck," from TransSensual.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

Sweet Sinner Releases 7th Volume of 'The Hot Wives'

Kenzie Taylor, Little Puck, Blake Blossom, and Sophia Locke star in the seventh volume of "The Hot Wives," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Leilani Li, Angellica Good Star in Latest From TransAngels

Leilani Li and Angellica Good star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Double VR Mouth Swap,” alongside Marcus McNeill.

Ember Snow Performs 1st DP in Latest From Pure Taboo

Ember Snow has performed her first DP alongside multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble and Vince Karter in a new psychological thriller release from Pure Taboo, titled “Locked in a Nightmare.”

Savvy Suxx Is Hustler's 'Cover Honey' for August

Savvy Suxx is the Cover Honey for the August issue of Hustler Magazine and appears in a 14-page centerfold spread shot by ThisYearsModel.com.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

Show More