The Internet, Pornography, and Women in the Law

Phoenix JRCLS Women in the Law Spring Luncheon

The Phoenix JRCLS Women in the Law section recently held its Spring Luncheon which was well attended and well received. A delicious lunch was served at the offices of Perkins Coie Brown & Bain. Besides enthusiastic networking and visiting, the attendees listened to a sobering but very relevant presentation by guest speaker and BYU Law School Professor Cheryl Preston.

Professor Preston has researched and published extensively on a number of topics of interest, including making the internet safer for children and negative images and stereotypes of women portrayed through the media. Her topic at the WIL Luncheon was “Internet Pornified: Where is the Law in This Mess?” As women, we can play a significant role in our homes and communities by addressing some of the negative concerns and consequences associated with the internet and pornography.

Professor Preston’s presentation was definitely a “wake up call” to many and a “call to action” as well.

For additional information on Professor Preston's research and publications, see The Misunderstood First Amendment and Our Lives Online, 49 No.1 BYU Studies 50-83 (2010); available at http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=8517.

Photos: Top: Professor Preston speaks with Jill Rencher, member of Phoenix WIL committee. Bottom: Luncheon attendees

--Deborah Hendrickson practices Family Law in Phoenix, AZ, and is a member of the WIL Committee of the international JRCLS, where she serves as Mountain area liaison.