Regulation of Extreme Pornography

Campaigns

During June-July 2013, McGlynn and Rackley's research underpinned a high profile campaign led by Rape Crisis (South London) and the End Violence Against Women Coalition to close the rape pornography loophole. The campaign garnered considerable support. Over 72,000 people signed a Change.Org petition (CHANGE.ORG) and the campaign was widely reported in the UK and international media. The BBC reported it here.

On 22 July 2013, the Prime Minister announced that the Government was going to ‘clos[e] the loophole, making it a criminal offence to possess internet pornography that depicts rape’.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

"Today I am going to tread into territory that can be hard for our society to confront. It is frankly difficult for politicians to talk about, but I believe we need to address as a matter of urgency." 

You can read his speech here.

Further information

Briefing Paper

You can view a short briefing on the arguments for criminalising extreme pornography: Why Criminalise the Possession of Rape Pornography.

Pornographic images of rape glorify and normalise sexual violence. Yet the current law on extreme pornography does not cover this material. Section 16 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill 2014 addresses this gap. It will criminalise the possession of rape pornography as well as images of non-consensual sexual penetration.

Oral & Written Submissions

You can view Clare and Erika's full evidence to the Public Bill Committee on the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill:Written evidence submitted by Professor Clare McGlynn and Professor Erika Rackley at Durham Law School, Durham University (CJC 12) .

You can view their written submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill 2014:Evidence submitted by Professor Clare McGlynn and Professor Erika Rackley Durham Law School, Durham University, 27 March 2014.