UK government announces major crackdown on porn industry

The UK government has announced a major crackdown on violence in the porn industry.

In recent years, the reach of hardcore pornography has stretched further into our lives than ever before, with some of the most graphic scenes available at the click of a button, often providing the foundation of sex education for young men and boys.

Figures from LADbible's 'For F**k's Sake' campaign, which aimed at starting an honest conversation about porn, showed that 77 percent of Gen Z consume porn.

Worryingly, though, 52 percent of young woman told us they believe porn reinforces sexual dominance among men, while 36 percent feel porn reinforces traits of violence or aggression.

So in a move to protect young women from the harmful effects of violence in adult entertainment, the government has pledged to ban the use of strangulation and suffocation within the industry - following on from the roll out of age restrictions for x-rated content earlier this year.

Over 70 percent of Gen Z regularly watch porn, and many women have deep concerns about the impact it has on men (LADbible)

This means that those found either in possession of such content or publishing it will be prosecuted.

As well as this, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, which were brought before Parliament today (3 November), will see criminals who make or share intimate images of people without consent face prosecution up to three years after the offence, up from six months.

Speaking exclusively to LADbible, the minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said: “Strangulation can cause serious harm. But violent pornography has convinced too many young people that it's normal.

"We know young people are worried about the impact of pornography on their lives. That's why we're taking action to ban this harmful content.

The UK government recently introduced age restrictions for porn in a bid to curb the negative impact on young people (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"Everyone – men and women – deserve relationships based on mutual respect and safety, not pressure or exploitation.”

It's hoped this will help break down the considerable barriers that victims of such crimes currently face in achieving justice, and it will also put expectations on platforms to stop this kind of content from being shared.

The minister added: "Online misogyny has devastating real-life consequences for all of us. Every day, women and girls have their lives turned upside down by cowards who hide behind screens to abuse and exploit them.

“This government will not stand by whilst women are violated online and victimised by violent pornography which is allowed to normalise harm.

“We are sending a strong message that dangerous and sexist behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Social media companies will be held accountable for the spread of violent images (Didem Mente/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Strangulation in porn will also become a 'priority offence' under the Online Safety Act, meaning tech companies and social media sites must take proactive steps to remove the content and will be held accountable for failing to act.

Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute For Addressing Strangulation said: “IFAS welcomes the government’s move to ban the depiction of strangulation in pornography. While consenting adults have the right to explore their sexuality safely and freely, we must recognise the serious risks posed by unregulated online content, especially to children and young people.

“Strangulation is a serious form of violence, often used in domestic abuse to control, silence, or terrify.

"When it’s portrayed in pornography, particularly without context, it can send confusing and harmful messages to young people about what is normal or acceptable in intimate relationships. Our research shows there is no safe way to strangle.”