A report of high levels of sex and alcohol abuse in Australia’s Aboriginal population has led to a proposed ban on pornography and alcohol. Australian Prime Minister John Howard is defending the ban as a temporary measure to asses the potential causes of the abuse in these communities.

The report fueling the ban uncovered a high occurrence of sexual abuse and behavior in minors with a suggested link to alcoholism that is said to be common in the population. The Northern Territory government, which commissioned the report, said it was ready to take action to reverse the negative findings in the indigenous societies.

The ban on pornography and alcohol is suggested for a six-month implementation at the end of which the population will again be surveyed for the levels of alcohol abuse and negative sexual behavior.

The publication of the ban has stirred up mixed reactions from varying levels of the population. Certain leaders in the Aboriginal community feel the ban is discriminatory and patronizing. Much of the opposition is in reaction to a portion of the ban that would restrict and monitor welfare spending. While some encourage enforcing at least half of each welfare check be spent on food and other necessities, others feel such government hand-holding is in violation of federal discrimination laws.

The ban will be put into effect in the Northern Territory which is home to roughly 60,000 of Australia’s 400,000 Aborigines. Prime Minister Howard has said he is solely intervening in the Northern Territory because he does not have the power to affect the other six states. He is urging the rest of the states to take similar measures.