from www.abc.net.au – A group of prominent Australians is calling for a ban on the sale of soft pornographic magazines in mainstream retail outlets.

In a letter to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, the group asks for a review of the rules which allow magazines like Penthouse and Playboy to be sold in newsagents, supermarkets and petrol stations.

The group also wants a review of the censorship laws governing the ratings of so-called ‘lads mags’ like Zoo and Ralph.

Signatories to the letter include the former chief justice of the Family Court Alastair Nicholson, and the Reverend Tim Costello from World Vision Australia.

Reverend Costello says while pornographic images are available on the internet, making the magazines so widely available is leading to the early sexualisation of children.

“There is a tide of commodifying sexuality, robbing children of innocence, and I think that’s why this letter is important,” he said.

“In many ways what happens on newsstands is communicating a message that this is publicly acceptable.

“Adults, everybody who walks in to just buy their milk or pay for their petrol, buy their paper, is saying this is normal, this is what we now embrace.

“And I think this is particularly devious in the signals it sends to children.”