House of Lords Votes to Ban Step-Incest Pornography in UK Crackdown
The government has agreed to prohibit the production of pornography depicting sex acts between stepfamily members, following a closely contested vote in the House of Lords. This decision marks a significant step in the UK's ongoing efforts to regulate harmful online content and combat violence against women and girls.
Narrow Victory for Amendment
The amendment, which calls for step-incest to be included in a ban on harmful pornographic content, was passed by a single vote, with 144 peers in favour and 143 against. It was tabled by the government with the support of Conservative peer Gabby Bertin, who led a review into pornography regulation published last year. Lady Bertin expressed her delight at the outcome, stating that the government has answered calls for change and that the UK is leading the way in regulating the high-harm industry.
Broader Context of Bans
This ban is one of several proposed by the government, including last year's criminalisation of material depicting women being choked. Some ministers had opposed the amendment, arguing that implementation would be challenging because, under the law in England and Wales, it is not illegal for adults who are step-related to engage in a sexual relationship. However, proponents emphasised the harmful effects of such content, which normalises child sexual abuse and abusive relationships within families.
Legal Implications and Penalties
Once the law comes into effect, anyone found possessing or publishing pornography that shows incest between family members, or sex between step- or foster-relations where one person is pretending to be under-18, will face criminalisation. Publication could carry a maximum penalty of two to five years' imprisonment, depending on the severity of the content. Alex Davies-Jones, the minister for victims and tackling violence against girls, highlighted the devastating stories from victims and the need for immediate change, asserting that the government is sending a powerful message to stamp out misogynistic and harmful content online.
Additional Measures Against Online Harm
Coinciding with this ban, the government announced its intention to table an amendment to the crime and policing bill. This would hold tech bosses personally accountable if websites run by them or their companies fail to remove intimate images uploaded without consent, often referred to as "revenge porn." Under this amendment, senior tech executives could face large fines, imprisonment, or both if they do not act to remove such material without good cause after being made aware of it. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall reinforced the government's commitment to protecting women and girls online, noting that platforms must remove reported non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours, with further measures to ensure accountability.
