Campaign win!

Today, the UK Government has tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that will give it the power to force all pornography websites to verify everyone in their videos is an adult, gave permission for the content to be published and can withdraw their consent. However, the Government will conduct a review, reporting within 12 months, to determine if and how to use these new powers.

Today’s announcement is an important step towards vital safeguards on pornography webistes – and it was hard fought for by survivors, organisations and parliamentarians.

UK Feminista has long advocated for pornography websites to be forced to verify the age and ongoing consent of everyone on their platforms in order to combat child abuse and violence against women. We have been proud to campaign alongside Barnardo’s, CEASE UK and many others in the Pornography Harms Coalition.

Most of all, we are grateful to the survivors we have been privileged to work with, who bravely shared their experiences in order to prevent future abuses. Today’s victory is theirs.

Read the powerful speech given last year by Survivor Leader Alia Azariah to MPs and peers on why age and ongoing consent verification is so vital.

Our focus now turns to the Government’s review to ensure it delivers the protections so desperately needed to stop pornography websites profiting from child abuse and sexual violence – and ensure no one is forced to endure pornography of them being published against their will.

Stay tuned for updates!