The Archdiocese of Omaha has launched an anti-pornography task force to battle pornography's rising presence on the Internet and the influence it has on adults and children.

According to Mary Beth Hanus, victim assistance coordinator for the archdiocese and chairperson of the task force, children get exposed to graphic pornographic images over the Internet as early as eight years old.

"Internet pornography affects every aspect of a community," Hanus said. "It is clear that as a church we must battle and try and turn back the overwhelming negative impact of pornography on a community."

Hanus said that more than 40 million U.S. adults regularly visit pornographic web sites. The industry rings up billions of dollars in sales every year, with average daily receipts close to $26 million, according to the Family Safe Media web site.

The 17-member archdiocesan task force is comprised of clergy, archdiocesan personnel, and members of the Catholic community. Its primary objective is to increase public awareness of Internet pornography and its long-lasting effects on a community.

One of the task force's first priorities is to sponsor educational workshops. Clergy, school principals, directors of religious education and youth/young adult ministers are invited to attend workshops February 16-17 in Omaha, Norfolk and Fremont. Father J. Brian Bransfield, a nationally recognized expert on the harmful effects of pornography, will be the keynote speaker.