Ministers are being urged to address the unregulated realm of online pornography, where trafficked and exploited women are subject to abuse on camera, according to campaigners preparing for a crucial debate in the Commons.
A proposal set to be presented to MPs calls for stringent measures, including hefty fines and potential imprisonment for websites that share explicit content without ensuring that all individuals depicted are of legal age and have given consent. If enacted, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their revenue.
A key amendment to the Government’s significant Crime and Policing Bill also advocates for individuals featured in videos to have the right to revoke their consent, compelling sites to promptly remove such content within 24 hours.
This initiative follows the House of Lords’ support for an amendment by Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, who emphasized the urgent need for stronger safeguards. Concerns were raised about the presence of child abuse, sexual violence, and trafficking victims on widely accessed pornography platforms.
Naomi Miles, the founder of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), highlighted that many viewers are oblivious to the exploitation underlying the videos they consume for sexual gratification. She stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity and consent of individuals in adult content to prevent further harm and exploitation.
Existing regulations prohibit the sharing of child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images, yet advocates like Ms. Miles argue that more robust measures are essential to combat the proliferation of abusive and illegal content online.
Labour MP Jess Asato, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, urged fellow MPs to support the proposed amendment, emphasizing the need to outlaw objectionable content like step-incest depictions and ensure strict age verification for all performers to combat the dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Baroness Bertin emphasized the imperative of incorporating age and consent checks as fundamental protective measures for those involved in online pornography, placing the safety of women and children at the forefront of regulatory efforts.
The Government has acknowledged these concerns and is collaborating with stakeholders to address the challenges posed by harmful and degrading pornography, underscoring its commitment to reducing violence against women and girls. Strict enforcement of existing laws and the requirement for effective age verification on all pornography sites are key components of the ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable individuals and prevent the dissemination of harmful content.