In a landmark move to combat violence against women, the UK government has announced plans to criminalise pornography that depicts strangulation and choking. The new legislation, expected to come into force next year, will make the production and distribution of such content a criminal offence.
Closing the Legal Loophole
The decision follows growing concern among ministers and women's safety advocates about what Home Secretary Yvette Cooper describes as the 'disturbing normalisation' of violent sexual acts. Until now, such content has existed in a legal grey area, despite mounting evidence linking it to real-world harm.
The new law will specifically target material showing non-fatal strangulation and asphyxiation during sexual acts, acts that medical experts warn can cause serious injury or death, even when intended to be 'consensual'.
Driving Cultural Change
This legislation represents a significant shift in how the UK approaches online adult content. It's not merely about removing existing material but about preventing the creation of new content that glorifies these dangerous practices.
Campaigners have long argued that the proliferation of such material has desensitised viewers to the risks, with many young people now considering choking a routine part of sexual activity rather than the potentially lethal act it represents.
What This Means for Producers and Platforms
- Content creators producing material within the UK depicting these acts will face criminal prosecution
- Platforms hosting such content could also face legal consequences
- The law aims to set a new standard for what constitutes acceptable adult content
- Enforcement will involve coordination between police and online regulators
The government's move has been welcomed by women's safety organisations and medical professionals, who see it as a crucial step in addressing the links between pornography and real-world sexual violence.
