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The world professed to be shocked by the photos emerging from Abu Ghraib - by both the violence and the sexual nature of the imagery. Yet they were transmitted around the world for all to see. Was the purpose to shock - or to titillate? Why do we consider it acceptable to show images of torture and degradation, yet remain squeamish about their sexual element? Speakers: Ronan Bennett, incarcerated for two years in Long Kesh prison camp before his conviction was overturned, now an award-winning novelist; Gerry Simpson, lecturer at the LSE, whose books include The Law of War Crimes; Joanna Bourke, whose books include An Intimate History of Killing. Award-winning photographer, Peter Jordan, will show his photos from the Iran-Iraq war, taken while working for Time Magazine. In the chair: Guardian columnist, Mary Riddell.