- Possessing or publishing depictions of strangulation or
suffocation in porn to be criminalised with duties on platforms
to stop the proliferation of these images
- Victims will have longer to come forward as the time limit to
prosecute intimate image abuse extended to three years, up from
current six months
- Measures are the latest step to halve violence against women
and girls
Victims of intimate image abuse will have up to six times longer
to report a crime under amendments to the Crime and Policing
Bill tabled in Parliament today (Monday, November 3).
The new amendments – a key part of the Government's Plan for
Change – will mean criminals who take or share an intimate image
without consent can be prosecuted up to three years after the
offence was committed, giving victims crucial time and breathing
space to come forward.
This will help break down unnecessary barriers victims face when
reporting a crime, improving access to justice for those who need
it the most.
Intimate image abuse is an abhorrent sexual offence, and this
Government is determined to see the perpetrators of these
cowardly crimes get the punishment they deserve.
Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women
and Girls, said:
“Online misogyny has devastating real-life consequences for all
of us. Every day, women and girls have their lives turned upside
down by cowards who hide behind screens to abuse and exploit
them.
“This government will not stand by whilst women are violated
online and victimised by violent pornography which is allowed to
normalise harm.
“We are sending a strong message that dangerous and sexist
behaviour will not be tolerated.”
A further amendment will crack down on violent pornography,
criminalising the possession and publication of images depicting
strangulation and suffocation.
This follows a recommendation from Baroness Bertin's Independent
Porn Review, which found pornography has contributed to
establishing strangulation as a ‘sexual norm', particularly among
young people who may be unaware of its long-term harms.
Tech Secretary said:
“Viewing and sharing this kind of material online is not only
deeply distressing, it is vile and dangerous. Those who post or
promote such content are contributing to a culture of violence
and abuse that has no place in our society.
"We're also holding tech companies to account and making sure
they stop this content before it can spread. We are determined to
make sure women and girls can go online without fear of violence
or exploitation.”
The depiction of strangulation in pornography will be designated
as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning
platforms will be held accountable and ensuring content does not
spread, which can lead to normalising harmful practices in
people's private lives.
They will be required to take proactive steps to prevent users
from seeing illegal strangulation and suffocation content. This
could include companies using automated systems to pre-emptively
detect and hide images, moderation tools or stricter content
policies to prevent abusive content from circulating.
Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute For Addressing
Strangulation said:
“IFAS welcomes the Government's move to ban the depiction of
strangulation in pornography. While consenting adults have the
right to explore their sexuality safely and freely, we must
recognise the serious risks posed by unregulated online content,
especially to children and young people.
“Strangulation is a serious form of violence, often used in
domestic abuse to control, silence, or terrify. When it's
portrayed in pornography, particularly without context, it can
send confusing and harmful messages to young people about what is
normal or acceptable in intimate relationships. Our research
shows there is no safe way to strangle.”
ENDS
Further information:
- The new amendment will mean criminals who take or share an
intimate image without consent can be prosecuted at any time
which is both within three years of the offence, and within six
months of the prosecutor having sufficient evidence to
prosecute.
- Further details on the amendments will be set out in due
course.
