The UK government plans to make online pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation illegal as part of a broader initiative to address violence against women and girls. This decision follows a review indicating that such depictions are prevalent on mainstream pornographic websites and have contributed to the normalization of choking among young viewers. Under proposed amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill currently in Parliament, both the possession and distribution of this type of content will be deemed a criminal offense.
Online platforms will be obliged to actively identify and remove such material, with potential enforcement actions from the media regulator Ofcom if they fail to comply. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has categorized choking in pornography as a “priority offense” under the Online Safety Act, positioning it alongside child sexual abuse and terrorist content.
Concerns over the impact of choking in sexual contexts are underscored by a recent report from Conservative peer Baroness Bertin, which highlighted a lack of governmental scrutiny in the pornography industry. The report included a troubling account of a young individual seeking guidance from a teacher on the topic of choking during intimate encounters.
In June, the government announced intentions to amend the Bill to prohibit choking in online pornography. A 2019 BBC survey revealed that 38% of women aged 18 to 39 had experienced choking during sexual intercourse. Supporters of the initiative, like Bernie Ryan from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, assert that such content conveys harmful messages about intimate relationships.
However, some critics caution that existing laws, such as the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, already prohibit extreme pornography, including depictions of life-threatening acts. Campaigner Fiona Mackenzie expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the proposed law, citing a history of under-enforcement of similar legislation. The government has indicated that the new amendments will build on existing legal frameworks like the Obscene Publications Act.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyk3qzq7k7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss