Amendment to Crime and Policing Bill will criminalise depiction of strangulation in porn

A campaign to tackle dangerous online pornography has succeeded in amending the Crime and Policing Bill to include criminalising the act of strangulation in pornography. 

Following the Independent Porn Review, conducted by Baroness Gabby Bertin, which identified dangerous sexual acts, including strangulation, have been normalised through pornography, the amendment will make it illegal for pornography to depict any act of strangulation.

The campaign has been led by Jessica Asato and others who sought further protections in addition to those in place through the Obscene Publications Act 1959, and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 which criminalises the possession of extreme porn, and the depiction of life-threatening acts.

The Independent Porn Review found attitudes toward strangulation considered it ‘safe’ because it is believed to be ‘non-fatal’; a view perpetuated by media depictions said Baroness Bertin. In reality ‘depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real life consequences for women’ said Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones.

“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.”

The government say this is the latest step in their efforts to halve violence against women and girls as part of its Plan for Change. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) said:

“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.”