The United Kingdom has officially banned the production, possession, and distribution of pornographic material featuring choking or non-fatal strangulation. Under the newly passed Crime and Policing Bill, these depictions are now treated as priority offenses under the Online Safety Act. Individuals caught possessing such content could face up to two years in prison, while distributors risk sentences of up to five years. The prohibition aims to curb material viewed as violent and degrading, especially toward women, following a government-commissioned review that pushed for stronger action against extreme pornography.
The law also prohibits adult performers from portraying characters under 16 in sexual content, relying primarily on audio and associated information to identify violations. Several other proposed restrictions were narrowed or removed during parliamentary debates, including a full ban on “step” family scenarios outside of underage cases. The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly and forms part of the government’s broader efforts to regulate online adult content through interdepartmental teams and Ofcom oversight.
