The new Crime and Policing Bill is steadily making its way through Parliament, currently sitting at the Committee Stage in the House of Lords. This bill is aiming to tackle a multitude of issues, ranging from anti-social behaviour and offensive weapons to matters of national security. Within these new provisions are updates regarding the laws of pornography and sexual offences.
Strangulation/suffocation pornography
On Monday 4th November, a notable addition to the proposal was introduced with the government now aiming to criminalise strangulation pornography, following a review which identified the material as establishing a new ‘sexual norm’. Non-fatal strangulation is already a criminal offence under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Section 70, but it is not currently against the law to upload media depicting it online. If the Crime and Policing Bill is passed, it will be a criminal offence to possess, distribute or publish images or videos that exhibit strangulation or suffocation.
The Online Safety Act will consider such materials as a ‘priority offence’, held to the same standard as child sexual abuse material and terrorism content. Online platforms will be held accountable to ensuring that sexually violent content is not shared across their site and will have to work proactively to prevent the circulation of such media or face legal action.
The recommendation to criminalise violent explicit material stems from Baroness Bertin’s Independent Porn Review that was published in February 2025. Her research found that younger people are becoming significantly influenced by aggressive sexual content and this impacts violence towards women and girls offline. She provides evidence to suggest that strangulation and suffocation is becoming a common practice in real sexual behaviour, despite the significant dangers posed by it.
Revenge porn
Another addition to the legislation will update the current revenge porn laws by extending the time limit for affected individuals to report it to the authorities. Presently, there is a six-month limit to bring forward a revenge porn incident, but the new bill will increase this time frame to three years. This will mean that individuals who take or share intimate images without consent can be prosecuted within three years of the offence, and within six months of the prosecution having sufficient evidence to present the case to the courts.
More information regarding the offence of revenge porn can be found on our website here: What is the law on revenge porn?
How can Stephensons help you?
Our talented team of solicitors have experience helping clients with this relatively new area of law, offering informed advice and support if you have been charged with an offence of this nature. If you are under investigation for a revenge porn offence please do not hesitate to contact us for confidential initial advice on 0161 696 6188 or complete our online enquiry form.
Comments