ABSTRACT
Pornographic materials, writings or images designed to stimulate erotic feelings through the depiction of sexual activities, are used both in ways that do not contravene the law and in socially deviant ways. Use of pornographic materials becomes of concern in mental health settings when the individual experiences their use as compulsive; this may involve experiencing features common to addictive behaviors such as salience, tolerance, and a negative impact on work, finances, or relationships.1 The materials viewed may also indicate an enduring paraphilia, such as fetishism. Use of pornography becomes of concern to forensic practitioners when the pornography used, produced, or distributed is illegal, or when it is thought that pornography may be used to rehearse sexually violent acts in fantasy, possibly as a prelude to enactment.
