Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Some months ago, I had a couple come in and see me. They had four beautiful children, and their youngest son had taken his life. I say this to the parliament knowing that the parents have given me their permission to do so. According to what he'd said to his mum, he took his life because he'd seen things he never should have seen. He was not yet 18. He had his whole life in front of him. He was so disturbed by what he saw that he could see no way out of it. There'll be a hole in that family this Christmas, next Christmas and every birthday. Those parents want to do everything that they can to raise awareness about this and about how pornography, in particular, damages young minds. It rewires people's minds.

Yesterday we had some motions about violence against women. We know, with respect to pornography, that violence against women is portrayed as entertainment. We know that many, many children, before they turn of age, have seen many, many images that are violent and pornographic. We have a responsibility in this place to ensure that we do everything we can, legislatively, to protect children and protect their rights to be children.

I am supporting the motion to suspend standing orders because this is an incredibly urgent matter. It is a matter that is affecting so many families in my community and, I can only assume, in the communities of every other member in this chamber. We need leadership and courage from government and from everyone in this place.

It was the most harrowing meeting with that family. What do you say to a mother who has buried her child? No parent should have to do that. So I would urge the government to look at this motion for the suspension of standing orders. Let us all work together on matters like this and see this as a matter of urgency for the parliament to act.

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