Child-like sexual abuse dolls could be outlawed in England and Wales under a proposed new law after a paedophile was caught importing one from China. Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson is aiming to close a "dangerous" legislative loophole by making the possession, sale and manufacture of child-like sex dolls illegal.
Her private member's Bill seeks to prevent sexual harm and interrupt behaviour that may suggest or enable a sexual interest in children. Currently, owning a child-like sex doll is not an offence in the UK, but those who import them can be prosecuted under the Customs Consolidation Act 1876.
Previous case highlights gap
In 2017, former school governor and church warden David Turner was sentenced to 16 months in prison 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 found two more child sex dolls. Examination of his computers, external hard drives and pen drives revealed he had also downloaded over 34,000 indecent images of children.
Child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation stated that 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 legislation details
The Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Bill would equate the possession of a doll with possessing indecent images of children, Ms Wilson said. The MP for Twickenham told the Press Association she is "disgusted and horrified that these things exist" but we "mustn't be squeamish about tackling this issue head-on".
She said: "At the moment, somebody who's just been found with a doll can't be tracked in any way, and they won't be on the sex offenders register or anything like that. Whereas if they're found with indecent images, then obviously they can be flagged up. But if the only thing you know about them is that they've got a doll, then you're quite hampered in what you can do as a police force."
Under the proposed legislation, police will be able to confiscate such dolls and offenders who are found guilty could face imprisonment 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 backing of the Government to become law.
Scope and support
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 circumventing the proposed law. She said some people are "ordering bits of dolls and then putting them together" to avoid prosecution under existing laws.
Ms Wilson, who is the Lib Dem education, children and families spokeswoman, told PA: "It's all about protecting children, that's why I'm doing it. It's a horrendous issue to work on, to talk about, to investigate, and people have said to me... do you really want to be named for this issue?"
She continued: "Both as an MP and as a mother of two small children, I'm disgusted and horrified that these things exist, let alone the fact that they are still legal in this country. It's high time we close this legislative gap, and it's one small piece of the puzzle of how we keep our children safe, but an important one, and we mustn't be squeamish about tackling this issue head-on."
Mr Allardyce, of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, stated: "For those who are concerned about their sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children, there are ways of managing those thoughts so they do not lead to risk to children. Anyone concerned can find confidential and non-judgmental support through our Stop It Now website, self-help programme and anonymous helpline, and for young people, our Shore website and anonymous chat service."
A Home Office spokesperson commented: "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."
