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Topics: Adult Industry, Sex and Relationships, UK News
Dan Seddon
Topics: Adult Industry, Sex and Relationships, UK News
Pornographic films depicting a specific act will be banned by the UK government.
Announced via a press release published on its website, this is the next step in the power-that-be's promise to halve violence against women - the so-called Plan for Change.
Strangulation is terribly dangerous act, yet some adult content libraries upgraded it to a category in its own right, seemingly due to the high amount of clicks.
Eager to eradicate violent depictions on screen, the UK government recognizes its far-reaching influence and will criminalise any porn that platforms acts of strangulation.
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"Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real life consequences for women," said Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.
"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."
It comes after the Independent Porn Review, which was conducted by Baroness Gabby Bertin, found that 'media sources such as pornography have effectively established strangulation during sex as a "sexual norm"', and created a belief that 'strangling a partner during sex is "safe" because it is believed to be non-fatal despite overwhelming evidence that is is believed there is no safe way to strangle a person'.
Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), responded to the decree by saying: "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 government said the change will be made to the Crime and Policing Bill to make 'streets safer and the justice system stronger for victims'.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.