Trendpills
The United Kingdom government has announced plans to criminalize all pornography that depicts acts of strangulation, choking, or suffocation. This legislative change is intended to address what officials describe as a rising tide of violence against women and girls, which they argue is fueled by the normalization of dangerous acts in online content. The measure will be introduced as part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.
The decision follows the recommendations of the Independent Porn Review, conducted by Baroness Gabby Bertin. The review highlighted that the prevalence of such content has led to warnings that non-consensual choking has become a dangerous sexual norm, particularly among younger audiences. Campaigners and experts have long advocated for this change, arguing that the depiction of strangulation as a routine or pleasurable act desensitizes viewers to its inherent dangers and contributes to real-world violence.
Under the new law, it will be illegal to produce, distribute, or possess pornographic material featuring these acts. The Ministry of Justice stated that the ban is a crucial step in its broader strategy to protect women and girls from harm. In an official announcement, the government confirmed it would criminalize pornography showing strangulation through a new measure in the Crime and Policing Bill, recognizing that such online material plays a role in perpetuating violence.
The move comes amid growing concern over dangerous behaviors linked to content viewed online. Statistics indicate the normalization has already crossed into mainstream behavior, with one report cited by the Evening Standard noting that 35% of individuals aged 16 to 34 have been choked by a partner during what was described as consensual sex. By making this content illegal, the government aims to send a clear message that such acts are not a safe or acceptable part of sexual activity and to dismantle the culture that has allowed them to proliferate.
