The Government has been urged to close a “dangerous” loophole allowing child-like sexual abuse dolls. The items could be banned in England and Wales under a new draft law brought forward by MP for Twickenham, Munira Wilson.
Bill seeks to criminalise possession, sale and manufacture
The Liberal Democrat is seeking to close a legislative gap by criminalising the possession, sale and manufacture of child-like sex dolls. Her private member’s Bill aims to prevent sexual harm and disrupt behaviour which may indicate or facilitate a sexual interest in children.
Possession of a child-like sex doll is not an offence in the UK, but those who import them can be convicted under the Customs Consolidation Act 1876.
Previous case highlights the issue
In 2017, ex-school governor and church warden David Turner was jailed for 16 months after he imported a 3ft child sex doll from China. When officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) searched his home in Ramsgate, Kent, they discovered two more child sex dolls. Analysis of his computers, external hard drives and pen drives revealed he had also downloaded more than 34,000 indecent images of children.
Child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation said child-like sex dolls “normalise and legitimise adult sexual behaviour with children”. Director Stuart Allardyce said: “Although some might suggest they prevent people from harming real children, in reality using them can reinforce sexual fantasies about children and sexual interactions with people who cannot consent.”
Proposed law would align with indecent images offences
The Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Bill would bring the possession of a doll on par with possessing indecent images of children, Ms Wilson said. The Lib Dem education, children and families spokeswoman said she is “disgusted and horrified that these things exist” but we “mustn’t be squeamish about tackling this issue head-on”.
Under the draft law, police will be able to seize such dolls and offenders who are found guilty could face prison time as well as monitoring. The Bill, which is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Commons on September 4, would need the support of the Government to become law.
The dolls being sold are mainly girls with some “as small as babies”, Ms Wilson said, adding: “They can be custom made, so made to order with certain specifications.” The Bill is drafted to include any doll which “resembles a child or any part of a child”, to prevent perpetrators getting around the proposed law, Ms Wilson said. She said some people are “ordering bits of dolls and then putting them together” to avoid prosecution under existing laws.
Government response
A Home Office spokesperson said: “These dolls are vile, and it’s right they should be banned and removed from sale. We are already taking action to stop their distribution, helping protect children from predatory threats in the future.”
