The law around the depiction of strangulation in pornography will
be changed in a landmark step to protect women announced
yesterday (18 June).
Porn depicting strangulation is rife online and strangulation in
sex is becoming more commonplace in real life - particularly
among young people who may be unaware of the long-term harm it
can have.
It is already a criminal offence to possess porn depicting
life-threatening acts, such as graphic strangulation. Recognising
how dangerous online material is perpetuating the growing
epidemic of violence against women and girls, the Government has
announced it will go even further – by criminalising pornography
depicting acts of strangulation.
The Independent Porn Review, conducted by Baroness , found that media
sources such as pornography have effectively established choking
as a ‘sexual norm', and a belief that choking a partner during
sex is ‘safe' because it is non-fatal despite overwhelming
evidence that there is no safe way to strangle a person.
The amendment will be made to the Crime and Policing Bill central
to the Government's Plan for Change - making streets safer and
the justice system stronger for victims.
Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women
and Girls, ,
said:
“Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but
also degrading, with real lifeconsequences for women.
“Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography
will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that
misogyny will not be tolerated.”
Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women
Coalition (EVAW):
“We welcome the government's decision to criminalise the
depiction of strangulation in pornography, a move that reflects
years of campaigning by EVAW and other experts who have long
warned about the normalisation of violence against women and
girls in online content.
“There is no such thing as safe strangulation; women cannot
consent to the long-term harm it can cause, including impaired
cognitive functioning and memory. Its widespread portrayal in
porn is fuelling dangerous behaviours, particularly among young
people.
“This is a vital step towards recognising the role violent
pornography plays in shaping attitudes to women and regulating an
industry which promotes and profits from violence against women.
The UK's flagship Online Safety Act must now be updated to ensure
online platforms are made to remove this content.”
ENDS
Further information
- The amendment builds on protections already in place within
the Obscene Publications Act 1959, and the Criminal Justice and
Immigration Act 2008 which criminalises the possession of extreme
porn, which includes the depiction of life-threatening acts.
- Further details of the amendment will be set out in due
course.
