Important Facts of the News
- Depictions of strangulation or suffocation in pornography to be illegal.
- Platforms will have a duty to prevent the spread of such images.
- Time limit to prosecute intimate image abuse extended from 6 months to 3 years.
- Measures aim to reduce violence against women and girls by half.
- Changes tabled as part of the Crime and Policing Bill on 3 November 2025.
- Amendments support the Government’s Plan for Change.
- Tech companies must proactively block illegal strangulation content.
- Policy influenced by Baroness Bertin’s Independent Porn Review.
- New rules include prosecution flexibility based on when evidence is secured.
- Victims will have more time and support to report intimate image abuse.
Government Moves to Strengthen Online Safety Laws
The UK Government has introduced new amendments to tackle harmful online content, particularly targeting violent pornographic material and abuse of intimate images. These changes are part of the Crime and Policing Bill and were tabled in Parliament on 3 November 2025.
Ban on Violent Pornography Depicting Strangulation
One major change is the criminalisation of owning or distributing pornographic content that depicts strangulation or suffocation. This step responds to findings from Baroness Bertin’s Independent Porn Review, which highlighted a troubling rise in strangulation being viewed as a sexual norm among young people.
Platforms will now be responsible for ensuring this type of content does not appear on their sites. The Online Safety Act will classify such depictions as a priority offence, compelling tech firms to prevent their circulation.
More Time for Victims to Seek Justice
In a bid to support victims of intimate image abuse, the time for bringing a prosecution has been expanded from six months to three years. This gives affected individuals more breathing space to report offences and seek legal recourse without unnecessary barriers.
Official Statements
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, stressed that this move reflects a firm commitment to protect women and girls from online harm. She noted that harmful online behaviours often have severe real-world impacts, and these laws aim to reflect that reality.
Tech Secretary Liz Kendall reinforced the Government’s stance on holding social media platforms accountable for hosting abusive content. She said that no one should fear violence or exploitation when engaging online.
Expert Voice
Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute For Addressing Strangulation, welcomed the reforms. She emphasised that while adults may freely explore sexuality, unregulated content involving violent acts like strangulation can mislead younger audiences and mask the serious risks involved.
Next Steps
These proposals are part of a broader policy push to reduce violence against women and girls by half. The Government confirmed that more details about the amendments will be disclosed soon.