Pornography showing strangulation and incest to be banned in UK from early November

UK bans online pornography depicting strangulation and incest starting 6 November.

The legislation, introduced after cross‑party pressure led ministers to enact new laws earlier this year, prohibits material that portrays strangulation or suffocation, sex between relatives or individuals falsely claiming kinship, or adults assuming the identity of a child under 16.

Justice Minister Alex Davies‑Jones stated: “This isn’t about criminalising harmless sexual preferences. But porn can shape what people think a healthy relationship looks like, especially young people.”

“Content that normalises, or even glorifies, violence against women is dangerous and can blur the line with what is acceptable in real life.”

Conservative peer Gabby Bertin authored the recommendations in her 2025 review into pornography regulation, noting that depictions of choking women have “devastating” real‑world consequences and that distorted dynamics—including incest and adult‑child impersonations—are also banned.

The report highlighted a total lack of governmental scrutiny over the industry and warned that non‑fatal strangulation, while an offence itself, is not illegal to display online.

“This change in law alongside stricter enforcement and improved regulation will send a clear signal to hosts and society that extreme and violent content encouraging real‑world harm is unacceptable,” said Lady Bertin.

The End Violence Against Women Coalition praised the measure, calling for robust implementation.

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