I am facing difficulty in the sex industry
On June 23, 2022, the AV Appearance Damage Prevention and Relief Act went into effect.
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This law is to protect people who have made a promise (contract) to appear in adult films.
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People who have appeared in pornography have suffered damage to their minds, bodies, and lives.
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In order to prevent such damage, a new rule has been established to neutralize the contract to appear in adult films.
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Contents of the page to learn about this law (Japanese Only):
>> The Cabinet Office's "AV Appearance Victim Prevention and Relief Act
>> The Cabinet Office "Damage Caused by AV Performances."
>> Cabinet Office "Q&A on the Law"
>> Cabinet Office "Such damage has occurred."
>> Cabinet Office, "Various Forms"
>> Read the full text of the AV Appearance Damage Prevention and Relief Act
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Cabinet Office "If you contracted to perform in an adult film, you can unconditionally cancel that performance contract!"
>> What is the point of this law about damage, and where is the consultation service if you are involved?
The AV Appearance Damage Prevention and Relief Act has been enacted.
To those who are facing problems in the pornography industry
When you’re in the adult video world, you sometimes feel like you can’t quit filming once you’ve signed a contract. Pornography producers say things like their businesses are well-established, and they can guarantee your safety and security. They say you can choose the work you do, and your privacy will be strictly respected, and your friends and family will never find out. But, in reality, once you agree to pornography filming, even if you later want to quit, sometimes you are threatened with ‘breach of contract’, and intimidated into continuing, even if feeling frightened.
Pornography producers will sometimes make up a reason to visit your house, and then they will threaten to tell your parents or school authorities. They will say you’re not allowed to refuse further filming without paying breach of contract fees, or they will extort money from you at the threat of showing people your videos.
You may be someone who has taken pride in your work in erotic videos before now, but, in the final film you were contracted to do, you were treated badly, like a disposable actress.
Are you having trouble with being forced or threatened to shoot porn?
If you or someone you know is facing difficultly after appearing in an adult video, or having pornography made of them, you are not alone.
It is a well-know strategy for pornography producers to recruit victims using scouts at shopping centres who tell victims they represent normal, mainstream talent agencies. They trick victims into signing contracts, and take topless photographs of them for the purpose of, supposedly, promoting them as models. They then gradually encourage the victim to accept job offers involving pornography filming. They make refusal difficult through threatening breach of contract fees, or re-payment of costs for advertising or training sessions—they pitch these costs at thousands and millions of yen. Or they threaten to publicly release topless photos, and show them to family members. Victims are eventually forced into pornography filming through these tactics.
But these tactics are completely illegal, and such contracts are invalid. It is against the law to pursue someone for breach of contract fees and costs. You are under no obligation to pay them. Contracts to undertake sexual intercourse are against the law, because these materials are deemed harmful to ‘public order and morality’. Court cases have found pornographers, talent agencies, and production companies guilty of conduct hostile to public morality according to laws like the Employment Security Act and the Worker Dispatch Act.
Many of those who consult with us do not want anyone to deny their lives, to assume they are victims, or to sympathize with them. They are living in the present with invisible anxiety. With their permission, here is an example of a consultation.
*Some details have been changed to avoid identification of the person consulted.
Jane's Case
I responded to an advertisement for pornography actresses, but ended up being pushed into doing more than I expected, and had a frightening experience. I had ejaculate squirted into my eyes, and now I’m really worried that I’ve got an STD. I’ve got spotting, and my period has stopped. I’m worried about my health. After appearing in a pornographic film, I’m worried about my family finding out. I feel hopeless about the future, I don’t know how to go on living.
Jane consulted with PAPS, and now she feels confident refusing any further filming in the adult industry. She was able to have sales of her films stopped. Jane now sees a future for herself.
Mary's Case
I found out that footage of me having sex was being sold on a user upload pornography site. I requested the website owner delete the video, but was told they couldn’t take it down without giving the uploader my name and personal details. I did not know the person who uploaded my footage. They told me to consult a lawyer (even though I have no money). I really don’t know what to do.
N.B., The site Mary refers to is one where anyone can view uploaded videos, but the site allows for some videos to be uploaded on a pay-per-view basis.
N.B., Although we cannot concretely describe the contents of the videos, so that they remain unidentifiable, PAPS does receive frequent requests for consultation over this problem. It is a practice of revenge pornography to insist that names be disclosed to have videos removed from the sites. It can be the case that a film is uploaded in order to find out the name and personal details of the person filmed. Website owners profit from ignoring this fact, and their response to victims is therefore egregious. Regardless of whether these website owners are based in Japan or overseas, PAPS will act upon complaints if you come to us, and will petition the website owners and insist they delete footage.
Sue's Case
I was recruited by a scout to appear in pornography. At first the videos were regular adult entertainment scenes, but the sixth job I did was for a scary production company. They took me to a wasteland area, and 20 men ejaculated inside me. I was frightened and distressed. Every day I just wish I could disappear.
Kate's Case
I was recruited by a scout at a train station, and, before I knew it, I had signed up to appear in 12 pornography films. They were heavily marketed and sold openly, and, before long, my high school classmates found out. I talked to the producer about having them taken down, but he didn’t help me at all. The videos make it look like I participated in pornography willingly. They continue to be sold, and I just don’t know what to do.
