An official review led by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin has called for a ban on extreme pornography in Britain, particularly focusing on material depicting non-fatal strangulation and other degrading sexual content. The review, which examines the effects of online pornography on societal attitudes and behaviours, highlights the alarming trend of young people viewing choking as a mainstream sexual practice, with the average age of first exposure being just 13 years old.
Baroness Bertin's investigation is part of her role as co-chairwoman of the All-Parliamentary Party Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse, a position she took on in 2023. The review was prompted by concerns over abuse, exploitation, and trafficking within the pornography industry, alongside the emerging challenges posed by AI-generated sexual content. It involved insights from law enforcement, experts in various fields, and the pornography industry itself to assess the effectiveness of current regulations.
Among the ten recommendations outlined in the review, Baroness Bertin has suggested aligning online regulations with those applied to offline adult content, such as DVDs. The proposed changes include making it illegal to possess, distribute, or publish pornography depicting non-fatal strangulation, incest, and any material that encourages interest in child abuse. Additionally, there is a call for enhanced police tracking of illegal pornography offences, the establishment of a new regulatory body to oversee compliance among adult entertainment websites, and clearer protocols to protect performers from coercion and exploitation.
The issue of degrading and violent content has garnered attention from various quarters. Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo's, endorsed the review's findings, calling for regulation that mirrors the prohibitions existing on streaming platforms and physical media. She emphasised the harmful nature of violent sexual behaviour towards women and children, stating that addressing these issues is crucial to safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Baroness Bertin has articulated concerns regarding the impact of pornography on a generation learning about sexual relationships through often distorted portrayals. "A whole generation is learning how to have sex, and how to treat the opposite sex, from the distorted and often disturbing depictions presented by this industry," she wrote in her report. She pointed out the increasing prevalence of violent content, underscoring that words such as 'attack', 'kidnap', and 'destroy' are commonplace in prominent video titles.
The review not only examines the content itself but also reflects on the broader societal implications, including issues related to mental health and misogyny. Baroness Bertin recounted testimony from educators and health professionals regarding young people's misconceptions about consent and healthy behaviours stemming from exposure to pornography.
The report calls for a strategic overhaul of pornography regulations, emphasising the necessity of closing existing loopholes that have enabled harmful content to proliferate online. With governmental attention shifting towards issues such as the upcoming Online Safety Act, which aims to make it more challenging for children to access adult content, Baroness Bertin advocates for comprehensive and enforceable guidelines that protect users and regulate the pornography industry effectively.
In light of these findings, the report urges the government to take immediate action in addressing the discrepancies between online and offline pornography regulations, positioning the health and safety of society at the forefront of this discourse.
Source: Noah Wire Services