Banning strangling in porn will help tackle violence against women, says Scots MP
EXCLUSIVE: Joani Reid said online videos are "influencing real-world behaviour" and hailed the UK Government's decision as "a step in the right direction."
Banning strangling in pornography will help tackle violence against women, a Scots MP has said.
Joani Reid said online videos are "influencing real-world behaviour" and hailed the UK Government's decision as "a step in the right direction."
Last week the Labour Government announced it would outlaw "the depiction of strangulation in pornography" as part of its Crime and Policing Bill.
East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Reid said the ban would "stop the normalisation of violence through pornography."
violence against women should never be entertainment.
"We now have clear evidence that violent and degrading pornography is influencing real-world behaviour.
"Non-fatal strangulation is a serious and dangerous offence yet, until now, online platforms have been free to promote and profit from its depiction as a form of sexual gratification. That's indefensible.
"This isn't about being prudish or anti-sex. It's about protecting women and girls from harm and stopping the normalisation of violence through pornography. For too long online platforms have operated without scrutiny, spreading extreme content with no accountability.
"If we are serious about tackling violence against women we can't ignore the role the online world plays in shaping attitudes and behaviour. The decision is a big step in the right direction but there's much more to do.'
It is already a criminal offence to possess porn depicting life-threatening acts, such as graphic strangulation.
But the Government will tighten up the law to now criminalise the depiction of strangulation completely.
A ban had been campaigned for by group of Labour MPs who had backed an amendment to the Crime and Policing bill. These included seven Scots MPs: Reid, Katrina Murray, Tracy Gilbert, Patricia Ferguson, Johanna Baxter, Kirsteen Sullivan and Richard Baker.
The UK Government announcement follows the Independent Porn Review, which was conducted by Tory peer Gabby Bertin.
The review found that pornography has effectively established strangulation during sex as a 'sexual norm'.
It also found that pornography has helped cause a belief that strangling a partner during sex is 'safe' because it is believed to be non-fatal.
This is despite overwhelming evidence that is is believed there is no safe way to strangle a person.
UK Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones said: "Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real life consequences for women.
"Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that misogyny will not be tolerated."
This pledge by the Labour Government is part of its vow to halve violence against women and girls during its time in office.
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