Comstock Act

The Comstock Act (http://www.enotes.com/major-acts-congress/comstock-act), enacted March 3, 1873, and named after social reformer Anthony Comstock, made it illegal to circulate “obscene” or “immoral” materials through the U.S. postal system or across state lines. Since that time, the constitutionality of the act has been upheld, and following the removal of references within the act to contraceptive devices, the act remains U.S. law today. The Comstock Act is pertinent to the topic of trauma primarily in that it prohibits the shipment of pornography and other obscene materials through the U.S. mail. These materials might include pornographic photographs, text, publications, or other items that would be considered obscene by the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, the Comstock Act prevents circulation of photographs or text depicting sexual assault or ...