The issue of online pornography being a platform for the exploitation of women through trafficking has sparked concerns among activists as a key parliamentary debate looms. Proposed measures include hefty fines and imprisonment for websites that distribute explicit content without ensuring all participants are over 18 and willing. If enacted, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their earnings.
A proposed amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill seeks to grant individuals the right to withdraw consent from videos they appear in, compelling websites to remove such content within 24 hours. This move follows the House of Lords’ approval of stricter regulations proposed by Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, who highlighted the presence of abuse victims on mainstream pornography sites, including instances of child abuse and trafficking.
Naomi Miles, founder of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), emphasized that many viewers are unaware of the exploitation underlying the videos they watch. She emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to protect individuals featured in pornographic material from being coerced or trafficked.
Labour MP Jess Asato, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, urged lawmakers to support the amendment, calling for a ban on step-incest content and stricter age verification to prevent the sharing of child sexual abuse material. Baroness Bertin emphasized the importance of mandatory age and consent checks in online pornography to safeguard the welfare of women and children.
The government pledged to address concerns raised by Baroness Bertin and is collaborating with MPs and peers to enhance regulations governing online pornography. A government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to combat harmful content, emphasizing the illegality of child sexual abuse material and the obligation for pornography sites to implement effective age verification measures.
