Menu
30/08/2006
Government announces crackdown on violent pornography
The government has announced plans to make possession of violent and extreme pornographic material a criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in prison.
The proposed legislation will make it an offence to possess pornographic images depicting scenes of extreme sexual violence and other obscene material, including material featuring violence that is, or appears to be, life threatening or likely to result in serious and disabling injury.
The material to be covered by the legislation is already illegal to publish and distribute in the UK under the Obscene Publications Act, but such material has become increasingly accessible from abroad via the internet.
The announcement follows a year-long consultation on the possession of violent pornography.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "The vast majority of people find these forms of violent and extreme pornography deeply abhorrent. This sort of material is not just offensive, it contains images of sexual acts and sexual violence that are already illegal to publish or distribute in the UK.
"Such material has no place in our society but the advent of internet has meant that this material is more easily available and means existing controls are being by-passed - we must move to tackle this.
"By banning the possession of such material the government is sending out a strong message - that it is totally unacceptable and those who access it will be held to account."
The news has been welcomed by Liz Longhurst, whose daughter Jane, a 31-year-old schoolteacher from Brighton, was murdered by Graham Coutts, a man who was obsessed with violent internet porn.
Mrs Longhurst has campaigned for a ban on violent internet porn following her daughter's death, which included organising a 50,000 signature petition and getting the support of a number of MPs.
On Wednesday, she said: "My daughter Sue and myself are very pleased that after 30 months of intensive campaigning we have persuaded the government to take action against these horrific internet sites, which can have such a corrupting influence and glorify extreme sexual violence."
(KMcA/EF)
The proposed legislation will make it an offence to possess pornographic images depicting scenes of extreme sexual violence and other obscene material, including material featuring violence that is, or appears to be, life threatening or likely to result in serious and disabling injury.
The material to be covered by the legislation is already illegal to publish and distribute in the UK under the Obscene Publications Act, but such material has become increasingly accessible from abroad via the internet.
The announcement follows a year-long consultation on the possession of violent pornography.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "The vast majority of people find these forms of violent and extreme pornography deeply abhorrent. This sort of material is not just offensive, it contains images of sexual acts and sexual violence that are already illegal to publish or distribute in the UK.
"Such material has no place in our society but the advent of internet has meant that this material is more easily available and means existing controls are being by-passed - we must move to tackle this.
"By banning the possession of such material the government is sending out a strong message - that it is totally unacceptable and those who access it will be held to account."
The news has been welcomed by Liz Longhurst, whose daughter Jane, a 31-year-old schoolteacher from Brighton, was murdered by Graham Coutts, a man who was obsessed with violent internet porn.
Mrs Longhurst has campaigned for a ban on violent internet porn following her daughter's death, which included organising a 50,000 signature petition and getting the support of a number of MPs.
On Wednesday, she said: "My daughter Sue and myself are very pleased that after 30 months of intensive campaigning we have persuaded the government to take action against these horrific internet sites, which can have such a corrupting influence and glorify extreme sexual violence."
(KMcA/EF)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 August 2005
Consultation on violent internet porn launched
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to ban violent and abusive pornography available on the internet. The sale, distribution and importation of extreme pornography is illegal in the UK, under the Obscene Publications Act. However, it is not illegal to possess the material. The legislation also does not cover the internet.
Consultation on violent internet porn launched
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to ban violent and abusive pornography available on the internet. The sale, distribution and importation of extreme pornography is illegal in the UK, under the Obscene Publications Act. However, it is not illegal to possess the material. The legislation also does not cover the internet.
15 August 2005
Government to crackdown on violent internet porn
The government is set to announce a crackdown on violent internet pornography. The new measures, which are similar to those used to deal with child pornography websites, would give police greater powers to pursue those who operate violent sexual internet sites.
Government to crackdown on violent internet porn
The government is set to announce a crackdown on violent internet pornography. The new measures, which are similar to those used to deal with child pornography websites, would give police greater powers to pursue those who operate violent sexual internet sites.
23 October 2014
Two Arrested On Suspicion Of Selling Illegal Devices Containing Tracks And Videos
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of illegally selling devices containing hundreds of thousands of chart-topping karaoke tracks and videos. The man, 55 and woman, 39, were arrested at their home in Walshaw, Bury, by officers from the City of London Police unit with support from Greater Manchester Police following a referral from the BPI.
Two Arrested On Suspicion Of Selling Illegal Devices Containing Tracks And Videos
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of illegally selling devices containing hundreds of thousands of chart-topping karaoke tracks and videos. The man, 55 and woman, 39, were arrested at their home in Walshaw, Bury, by officers from the City of London Police unit with support from Greater Manchester Police following a referral from the BPI.
15 February 2008
Investigation Continues Into 'Suicide Bomber' DVD
A British police investigation into the sale of a DVD, which appears to glorify suicide bombers, is continuing. On Thursday, a 33-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation in Bradford.
Investigation Continues Into 'Suicide Bomber' DVD
A British police investigation into the sale of a DVD, which appears to glorify suicide bombers, is continuing. On Thursday, a 33-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation in Bradford.
23 September 2004
Agency reveals scale of illicit trade in atomic material
The massive scale of the illicit trade in nuclear material has been revealed by the UN's atomic watchdog which claimed that there have been close to 60 incidents of illegal trafficking since the beginning of the year.
Agency reveals scale of illicit trade in atomic material
The massive scale of the illicit trade in nuclear material has been revealed by the UN's atomic watchdog which claimed that there have been close to 60 incidents of illegal trafficking since the beginning of the year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
