This presentation was given at the 2018 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit hosted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. (EndExploitationSummit.com)
Natalie McAneney
Executive Director, Fight the New Drug
The vast majority of young people today continue to report that being in an enduring romantic relationship some day is one of their most important future life goals. However, young people today are in uncharted territory when it comes to learning about and being prepared for sex and intimacy. Naturally, they have questions, and like most other questions they have, many young people typically turn to one place for answers - the internet. Unfortunately for youth today, searching the internet doesn’t always offer the healthiest advice when it comes to learning about sex, intimacy, and relationships. This is especially true when young people find their way to the careening pornography found on the internet today. This presentation will review recent research studies and personal accounts that demonstrate specific ways that pornography is negatively influencing the expectations for youth when it comes to their personal readiness to form enduring couple relationships in the future.
Natale McAneney is the Executive Director of Fight the New Drug, a youth movement dedicated to raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation using science, facts, and personal accounts. She became involved with the organization after graduating with a BFA from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Natalie has always been passionate about promoting change regarding all forms of sexual exploitation, and has been involved in doing so through creative mediums for several years. Before joining the FTND team, Natalie wrote, directed, and performed in a number of theatrical works dedicated to starting conversation regarding sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses. Fight the New Drug has been a natural fit for her to continue promoting change through creative mediums. As a millennial herself, she is driven to educate this generation of youth on the harmful effects of pornography and its connection to sex trafficking, rape culture, gender inequality, and a variety of other social issues.
