Uk Cracks Down On Violent Porn With New Legislation

UK Government Bans Choking in Pornography

In a bold move to curb online violence against women, the UK government has announced a new ban on choking in pornography. This comes as concerns grow over the prevalence of such dangerous acts online. The ban will criminalize the possession and publication of images or videos depicting strangulation and suffocation, as part of a wider crackdown on violent pornography.

The current legal framework already recognizes non-fatal strangulation as an offense, but until now, it was not prohibited from being shown online. With this new legislation, online platforms must take responsibility to prevent the dissemination of these harmful images. Conservative peer Baroness Bertin criticized the lack of government oversight in the porn industry, citing disturbing instances where young people are influenced by violent content.

“Viewing and sharing this kind of material online is not only deeply distressing, it is vile and dangerous,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. “We’re holding tech companies accountable to ensure this content doesn't spread.”

Strengthened Measures Under the Online Safety Act

Strangulation in pornography will now be a "priority offence" under the Online Safety Act, putting it on par with child sexual abuse and terrorism content. This legislative push includes amending the Crime and Policing Bill, which is set for further scrutiny in the House of Lords next week.

Additionally, the time frame for victims of intimate image abuse to report crimes will be extended. The current six-month window is set to expand to three years, allowing victims more time to seek justice. This change reflects the Ministry of Justice's commitment to prosecuting crimes involving non-consensual intimate imagery.

Response to Strangulation Risks

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones emphasized the government’s stance against online violence, asserting that dangerous and sexist behavior will not be tolerated. The move follows recent measures requiring age verification for access to pornography, aimed at protecting children from adult content.

Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute For Addressing Strangulation, praised the government’s initiative, highlighting the significant risks unregulated online content poses to youth. “Strangulation is a serious form of violence, often used in domestic abuse to control or terrify,” she stated, urging awareness about the damaging portrayal of such acts in pornography.