By Salma El-Sakka
The UK government has implemented a ban on specific categories of pornography effective Friday, November 6, 2026, following cross-party pressure over the negative impact on women and girls. The legislation criminalizes possession or publication of material depicting strangulation or suffocation, sexual activity between relatives or those pretending to be related, and adults roleplaying as children under 16.
Government Rationale
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones stated the government aims to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. She emphasized that the ban targets content that normalizes or glorifies violence, which can blur acceptable behavior in real life, particularly for young people.
Penalties for Violations
Penalties vary by offense. Possessing or publishing pornography showing strangulation, suffocation, or penetrative sex between relatives carries up to two years' imprisonment. Material depicting sexual activity involving a person who is or appears to be under 16 carries a maximum of three years. The Ministry of Justice clarified the ban applies only to content a "reasonable person" would believe depicts real people.
Background and Expert Findings
The measures stem from a 2025 review by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin, who found that pornography showing women being choked has "devastating" real-world consequences. Her report highlighted disturbing role-play involving incest and adults portraying children. Studies cited by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation indicate high prevalence of non-fatal strangulation among young adults during consensual sex.
Reactions and Enforcement
Baroness Bertin welcomed the ban as "not a moment too soon," arguing it sends a clear signal to platforms and society that extreme violent content encouraging real-life harm is unacceptable. Davies-Jones urged individuals to delete such material and cease sharing it, warning it is now criminal.
