HBO has consistently produced original series that prominently feature acts of rape, sexualized violence, nudity, orgies, and more in nearly unprecedented graphic detail. By inserting explicit softcore pornography into mainstream entertainment, HBO is a top contributor to sexual exploitation. Shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Deuce make murder-sex and sexual assault something that can be watched for “fun.” The depth of social irresponsibility for producing such content, in a society that is already struggling to combat crises of sexual assault and rape culture, cannot be overstated. Media—whether in the form of the written word, movies, television, advertisements, songs, or the visual arts, etc.— is a powerful driver of social norms. Cognitive script theory asserts that media provides a heuristic learning model that outlines: 1) what should or should not be happening in a given scenario, 2) how others will respond to certain actions, and 3) what the total outcome will be of a given scenario. In the age of #MeToo, and the heightened cultural dialogue surrounding sexual harassment, assault, and consent, the entertainment industry and media influencers have an opportunity to promote thoughtful and progressive social discourse surrounding subjects of sexual abuse and exploitation. Will HBO sign on to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation's proposed "Industry Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment?" The standard is below: Whereas cultural values of equity and sexual consent are often shaped by the creative storytelling community, film studios must hold themselves to a high standard in order to depict issues regarding gender inequality and sexual exploitation in a socially responsible manner. The momentum generated by #MeToo and Time’s Up Now movements, must extend beyond addressing sexual harassment and assault perpetrated against those within the industry. The entertainment industry must recognize its collective role in creating media that inculcate the very attitudes and behaviors that foster sexual harassment, assault, and sexual exploitation. It must take firm steps to intentionally protect and promote the welfare of not only its members, but society at-large by portraying sex and its surrounding visual narratives in ethical and responsible ways. It can take a positive step in this direction by adopting and implementing “The Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment.” Accordingly, we commit to the following: 1. Refraining from gratuitous portrayals of sexual harassment, coercion, or violence against women, men, or children by not displaying prolonged or eroticized scenes with such content; 2. Combating the normalization of behaviors associated with sexual entitlement, harassment, and violence by minimizing nudity, particularly female nudity which is more common than male nudity; 3. Thoughtfully eschewing the glamorization or normalization of the sexual commodification of another person, such as through the irresponsible portrayals of the sexually exploitive institutions of prostitution, strip clubs, and pornography; 4. Never producing any promotional materials or developing content that sexualizes children (persons aged-17 or below) or adult actors portraying children.

HBO has consistently produced original series that prominently feature acts of rape, sexualized violence, nudity, orgies, and more in nearly unprecedented graphic detail. By inserting explicit softcore pornography into mainstream entertainment, HBO is a top contributor to sexual exploitation. Shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Deuce make murder-sex and sexual assault something that can be watched for “fun.” The depth of social irresponsibility for producing such content, in a society that is already struggling to combat crises of sexual assault and rape culture, cannot be overstated. Media—whether in the form of the written word, movies, television, advertisements, songs, or the visual arts, etc.— is a powerful driver of social norms. Cognitive script theory asserts that media provides a heuristic learning model that outlines: 1) what should or should not be happening in a given scenario, 2) how others will respond to certain actions, and 3) what the total outcome will be of a given scenario. In the age of #MeToo, and the heightened cultural dialogue surrounding sexual harassment, assault, and consent, the entertainment industry and media influencers have an opportunity to promote thoughtful and progressive social discourse surrounding subjects of sexual abuse and exploitation. Will HBO sign on to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation's proposed "Industry Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment?" The standard is below: Whereas cultural values of equity and sexual consent are often shaped by the creative storytelling community, film studios must hold themselves to a high standard in order to depict issues regarding gender inequality and sexual exploitation in a socially responsible manner. The momentum generated by #MeToo and Time’s Up Now movements, must extend beyond addressing sexual harassment and assault perpetrated against those within the industry. The entertainment industry must recognize its collective role in creating media that inculcate the very attitudes and behaviors that foster sexual harassment, assault, and sexual exploitation. It must take firm steps to intentionally protect and promote the welfare of not only its members, but society at-large by portraying sex and its surrounding visual narratives in ethical and responsible ways. It can take a positive step in this direction by adopting and implementing “The Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment.” Accordingly, we commit to the following: 1. Refraining from gratuitous portrayals of sexual harassment, coercion, or violence against women, men, or children by not displaying prolonged or eroticized scenes with such content; 2. Combating the normalization of behaviors associated with sexual entitlement, harassment, and violence by minimizing nudity, particularly female nudity which is more common than male nudity; 3. Thoughtfully eschewing the glamorization or normalization of the sexual commodification of another person, such as through the irresponsible portrayals of the sexually exploitive institutions of prostitution, strip clubs, and pornography; 4. Never producing any promotional materials or developing content that sexualizes children (persons aged-17 or below) or adult actors portraying children.

HBO’s television series The Deuce continues the premium cable television network’s onslaught of programs that glorify and normalize harmful sexual behaviors, particularly acts of sexual exploitation that degrade women. The show’s main themes – the pornography industry and prostitution – tee up its producers for gratuitous pornographic scenes and disturbing, graphic sexual content. The problem with this show, as with all shows that exploit human sexuality for entertainment, occurs when the show will inevitably depict sexual violence, degradation, and exploitation as acceptable, or even attractive, in certain circumstances. For example, the female lead is portrayed as an “empowered” self-prostituted woman who simply sees the sale of her body to men for sex as a business venture, suggesting that prostitution is sometimes a good, economically viable employment option for women. Please cancel The Deuce to respect women!

HBO has consistently produced original series that prominently feature acts of rape, sexualized violence, nudity, orgies, and more in nearly unprecedented graphic detail. By inserting explicit softcore pornography into mainstream entertainment, HBO is a top contributor to sexual exploitation. Shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Deuce make murder-sex and sexual assault something that can be watched for “fun.” The depth of social irresponsibility for producing such content, in a society that is already struggling to combat crises of sexual assault and rape culture, cannot be overstated. Media—whether in the form of the written word, movies, television, advertisements, songs, or the visual arts, etc.— is a powerful driver of social norms. Cognitive script theory asserts that media provides a heuristic learning model that outlines: 1) what should or should not be happening in a given scenario, 2) how others will respond to certain actions, and 3) what the total outcome will be of a given scenario. In the age of #MeToo, and the heightened cultural dialogue surrounding sexual harassment, assault, and consent, the entertainment industry and media influencers have an opportunity to promote thoughtful and progressive social discourse surrounding subjects of sexual abuse and exploitation. Will HBO sign on to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation's proposed "Industry Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment?" The standard is below: Whereas cultural values of equity and sexual consent are often shaped by the creative storytelling community, film studios must hold themselves to a high standard in order to depict issues regarding gender inequality and sexual exploitation in a socially responsible manner. The momentum generated by #MeToo and Time’s Up Now movements, must extend beyond addressing sexual harassment and assault perpetrated against those within the industry. The entertainment industry must recognize its collective role in creating media that inculcate the very attitudes and behaviors that foster sexual harassment, assault, and sexual exploitation. It must take firm steps to intentionally protect and promote the welfare of not only its members, but society at-large by portraying sex and its surrounding visual narratives in ethical and responsible ways. It can take a positive step in this direction by adopting and implementing “The Standard for Freedom from Sexual Exploitation in Entertainment.” Accordingly, we commit to the following: 1. Refraining from gratuitous portrayals of sexual harassment, coercion, or violence against women, men, or children by not displaying prolonged or eroticized scenes with such content; 2. Combating the normalization of behaviors associated with sexual entitlement, harassment, and violence by minimizing nudity, particularly female nudity which is more common than male nudity; 3. Thoughtfully eschewing the glamorization or normalization of the sexual commodification of another person, such as through the irresponsible portrayals of the sexually exploitive institutions of prostitution, strip clubs, and pornography; 4. Never producing any promotional materials or developing content that sexualizes children (persons aged-17 or below) or adult actors portraying children.