Campaigners are urging ministers to address the unregulated world of online pornography, where trafficked and exploited women are subjected to abuse on camera. Ahead of a parliamentary debate, lawmakers are being urged to impose hefty fines and potential jail sentences on platforms that share explicit videos without verifying the age and consent of all individuals involved. Under proposed amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their revenue for non-compliance.
The suggested changes also include granting individuals appearing in videos the legal right to withdraw consent, compelling sites to remove footage within 24 hours. This move follows a recent House of Lords amendment proposed by Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, highlighting the presence of child abuse, sexual violence, and trafficking victims on mainstream pornography websites.
Naomi Miles, founder of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), emphasized that many viewers are unaware of the exploitation behind the videos they watch. She emphasized the lack of consideration for the well-being of individuals depicted in these videos and stressed the damaging effects on those who have been abused or trafficked into the industry.
While the Government asserts that sharing child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images is already illegal, campaigners like Ms. Miles argue that existing safeguards need to be strengthened. Ms. Miles pointed out the lack of regulation allowing for the easy upload of user-generated videos with minimal oversight, making it a breeding ground for abusive and illicit content.
Labour MP Jess Asato, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, called for support for the proposed amendments, advocating for stricter laws that also prohibit step-incest depictions. Baroness Bertin emphasized the importance of mandatory age and consent checks in online pornography to safeguard individuals, particularly women and children. The Government has expressed alignment with these concerns and is collaborating with MPs and peers to address the issue.
