Richard Whidden, the Executive Director of the National Law Center for Children and Families, was called to testify before a Senate Committee on November 10, 2005. The hearing of the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution was convened by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) to examine the effects of pornography on children and families.

The hearing panel included Pamela Paul, author of the new book Pornified, which examines the effect of pornography on men and women across the nation and Jill C. Manning, a marriage and family therapist who addressed the adverse mental health effects and addictive nature of pornography. Mr. Whidden commented on the legal framework of the government’s role in addressing pornography and the harms associated with this material. Mr. Whidden commented, “It is clear that the government has a compelling interest in protecting children from exposure to sexually oriented materials.” Citing to Supreme Court case law, Mr. Whidden elaborated by saying that, “the well-being of children is of course a subject within the State’s Constitutional power to regulate.” Mr. Whidden also pointed out that the Supreme Court has stated that Congress may regulate the Internet to prevent children from gaining access to harmful materials.