AVN’s Miachel McGrady recently wrote a rather interesting story for City Weekly about moral panic.

Utah has emerged as a focal point for a growing wave of anti-pornography and anti-trafficking advocacy in the United States. Driven by legislation like SB287, which sought to enforce age verification for online adult content, and organizations promoting anti-porn rhetoric, the state has positioned itself as a battleground for contentious debates around free speech, digital rights, and sexual expression.

Yet, beneath the surface lies a complex network of individuals, charities, and policymakers whose motivations and methods have come under increasing scrutiny.

Critics warn that these efforts often blur the line between addressing legitimate concerns about human trafficking and promoting a broader ideological agenda.

The rise of anti-porn laws like Utah’s SB287 reflects a broader cultural push to pathologize pornography consumption and conflate the legal adult entertainment industry with human trafficking. SB287’s enforcement prompted lawsuits from adult entertainment companies, arguing that the law violated the First Amendment. Although the Utah case was dismissed on technical grounds, similar age-verification laws in Texas have reached the U.S. Supreme Court, sparking national debates about free speech and digital privacy.

Civil liberties advocates warn that such laws, while framed as measures to protect children, risk creating significant privacy concerns by mandating the collection of sensitive user data. These concerns have also highlighted the role of Utah-based organizations like Fight the New Drug (FTND) and the Malouf Foundation, which have been instrumental in pushing anti-porn narratives.

FTND and the Malouf Foundation—now part of a combined entity called the Phase Alliance—have presented themselves as evidence-based, secular groups addressing issues like pornography addiction and trafficking. However, their affiliations and methods suggest a deeper ideological alignment with Christian nationalism and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, raising questions about their true motives.

Both organizations have connections to controversial figures like Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). Ballard’s extrajudicial “rescue missions” abroad and alleged misconduct have drawn significant criticism, including accusations of unethical behavior and exploitation. Despite these controversies, FTND and the Malouf Foundation have collaborated with Ballard and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes on various anti-trafficking initiatives.

A deeper dive into these connections reveals a troubling pattern of misinformation. FTND, for instance, has promoted pseudoscientific claims about pornography addiction, citing debunked theories like those of Gary Wilson, who likened porn consumption to drug addiction. These claims, amplified by movements like NoFap, have perpetuated stigmas around sexuality and fueled moral panic rather than fostering informed discussions.

Sex workers and trafficking survivors have expressed concerns about the harm caused by conflating consensual sex work and legal adult entertainment with trafficking. Natasha Helfer, a sex therapist and expert on Mormon mental health, warns that organizations like FTND and OUR often perpetuate stereotypes and misinformation, ultimately doing more harm than good.

“These types of organizations—even if well-meaning—can perpetuate stereotypes, myths, and lies that end up hurting victims more than helping them,” Helfer said.

Similarly, Ricci Joy Levy, CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, cautions against the inflammatory rhetoric used by anti-porn advocates. “It risks misdirecting resources and attention away from genuine trafficking cases and can undermine the rights and safety of consensual sex workers,” Levy said.

The rhetoric surrounding anti-trafficking efforts often masks a broader agenda aimed at restricting consensual sexual expression. This agenda aligns with far-right ideologies, including those promoted by groups like the International Organization for the Family (IOF), which has hosted events featuring FTND co-founder Clay Olsen and other Utah figures. The IOF has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Critics argue that organizations within the Phase Alliance profit from sensationalized narratives about trafficking and pornography. Tara Burns, a sex workers’ rights advocate, describes these groups as using “sensationalist stories” to raise money while misrepresenting trafficking statistics. This approach, she says, exploits survivors and criminalizes consensual sex work.

Nicole Gililland, a sex workers’ rights activist and former porn performer, echoed these sentiments. “You would have to be naive enough to not follow the money or still support such a questionable man after anti-trafficking experts have spoken on the matter,” she said, referring to Tim Ballard.

The conflation of pornography with trafficking creates significant legal and cultural consequences. By equating consensual adult entertainment with criminal exploitation, these efforts risk undermining the rights of performers and creating unnecessary barriers to lawful sexual expression. Moreover, they misdirect resources away from combating genuine trafficking cases, leaving victims without the support they need.

While the intentions of some anti-trafficking advocates may be noble, the tactics employed by Utah-based organizations and their allies often rely on fear-mongering and misinformation. As the battle over anti-porn laws and trafficking narratives continues, experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between consensual, legal activities and criminal exploitation.

“The adult entertainment industry has its issues, like any other,” said Helfer. “But conflating it with trafficking is not only inaccurate—it’s dangerous.”

As Utah remains at the center of these debates, the question remains: Are these efforts truly about protecting victims, or are they a cover for broader ideological goals? Critics argue that the answer lies in following the money and examining the motives behind the moral panic.

You can read Michael McGrady’s entire story at cityweekly.net. And you can follow him on X at @journomm.