The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) will unveil its new free, voluntary website label at Webmaster Access West.

Webmaster Access West will take place from November 8-11 at the Universal Sheraton in Hollywood, California. Hundreds of online adult industry professionals are expected to meet and network during three days of seminars and festivities.

On Friday, November 10, ASACP Executive Director Joan Irvine will participate in a “State of the Industry” panel - and one issue she will discuss is self-labeling by adult websites. Earlier this year, ASACP conducted an “Online Town Hall” to open up the topic for broad discussion, and to get feedback from all adult companies. ASACP also held workshop sessions on self-labeling at the XBiz Summer Forum and Internext Summer.

The developments in Congress forced the organization to accelerate its timetable. “There are several bills pending that could require adult websites to label,” said Irvine. “Mandatory labeling of all adult sites has plenty of support in Congress. Acting now could help head off new regulations. Remember: nobody knows how a government-devised labeling system would work - or how it might affect your business.”

According to Irvine, voluntary self-labeling by adult websites will not only help protect children online, but will also demonstrate the adult industry’s commitment to helping parents prevent children from viewing age-inappropriate content. ASACP hopes that widespread adoption of the new label will show that the adult industry is taking the initiative rather than being a menace to children, as it is often portrayed in the mainstream.