An expert warns pornography may contribute to child sexual abuse by lowering inhibitions, urging greater attention to psychological and behavioural factors

A behavioural change and public health communication consultant, Professor Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku, has warned that exposure to pornography may lower inhibitions and contribute to sexually predatory behaviour, stressing that child sexual abuse cannot be explained by high libido alone.

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Odigie-Okpataku made the remarks on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during an appearance on the Nigeria Television Authority’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme, where she discussed psychological and behavioural factors associated with sexual violence, including abuse involving children.

The consultant argued that rape and sexual abuse were often wrongly interpreted as expressions of excessive sexual desire, overlooking the potential roles of domination, control and the desire to exert power over victims.

“We often think that rape is a sexual expression or sexual molestation is sexual expression of a high libido. It is often an oppressive tendency, so you want to conquer that person,” she said.

Odigie-Okpataku said the distinction was important in understanding sexual offences, particularly those involving children within family settings, where abuse may involve complex psychological and behavioural factors.

Addressing the possible relationship between pornography consumption and offending behaviour, she argued that repeated exposure to certain material could weaken an individual’s perception of acceptable sexual boundaries.

“Pornography is poison to the mind because what it does is that it kills your inhibitions,” she said, adding that such exposure could blur an individual’s judgement about right and wrong and generate curiosity about prohibited behaviour.

She also raised concerns about the consumption of sexually explicit material involving children and incestuous scenarios, arguing that, in some cases, repeated exposure could encourage individuals to consider acting out what they had watched.

However, the relationship between pornography and sexual offending is complex.

Exposure alone does not establish that an individual will commit abuse, and the consultant’s comments should be understood as her assessment rather than proof that pornography inevitably leads to sexual violence.

Odigie-Okpataku further challenged the assumption that sexual offending is necessarily driven by a person’s physical capacity for sexual intercourse.

Citing cases involving offenders with erectile dysfunction and individuals who had undergone castration, she argued that sexual offending could not be understood solely through physiological explanations.

“We’ve had people who have erectile dysfunction and are predators, and are on sexual sex offenders registers abroad,” she said. “So, it tells you it is in the mind, not only just in the genitals.”

Her comments followed a question from a programme presenter about whether high libido could explain why some men sexually abuse children, including toddlers.

In response, the consultant maintained that understanding the psychological and behavioural dimensions of sexual violence was essential to addressing offending patterns and strengthening child protection.

Child sexual abuse remains a serious safeguarding concern, requiring effective prevention measures, early reporting, appropriate investigations and support for victims.

Children who experience abuse need protection and access to professional care, while allegations must be handled through established safeguarding and legal procedures.

Odigie-Okpataku’s intervention has renewed attention to the need for a broader understanding of sexual offending, including the distinction between sexual desire and behaviour involving coercion, exploitation and abuse.

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Her central argument was that efforts to prevent child sexual abuse must look beyond assumptions about libido and examine the factors that may influence offending, while keeping children’s safety and protection at the centre of the response.