Just got this off the homeoffice website:
http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press...aphy?version=1
possession of violent and extreme pornographic material will become a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison under proposed new laws announced today by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker.
The Government will legislate to make it an offence to possess pornographic images depicting scenes of extreme sexual violence and other obscene material. This will include, for example, the sort of material featuring violence that is, or appears to be, life threatening or is likely to result in serious and disabling injury.
The proposals were published today as part of the Government's response to its consultation on the possession of violent and extreme pornographic material launched a year ago.
The material to be covered by the ban is already illegal to publish and distribute in the UK under the Obscene Publications Act (OPA) 1959. Such material has become increasingly accessible from abroad via the internet. The new law will ensure possession of violent and extreme pornography is illegal both on and offline.
Vernon Coaker said:
"The vast majority of people find these forms of violent and extreme pornography deeply abhorrent. This sort of material is not just offensive it contains images of sexual acts and sexual violence that are already illegal to publish or distribute in the UK. Such material has no place in our society but the advent of the internet has meant that this material is more easily available and means existing controls are being by-passed - we must move to tackle this.
"By banning the possession of such material the Government is sending out a strong message - that it is totally unacceptable and those who access it will be held to account.
"This is a complex issue on which we have consulted widely. Our intention to legislate in this area has the support of various organisations, including women’s and children's groups and police forces. In addition, a petition signed by around 50,000 people objecting to extreme internet sites promoting violence against women in the name of sexual gratification was presented to Parliament."
Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and ACPO lead for this area of criminality, said:
"Legislation is only truly effective if it develops step by step with technological advances. Today starts to answer that need in respect of how the internet can be used to supplement this area of criminality.
"It builds on the fundamentals of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and helps take our fight against violent and extreme pornography to where it needs to be - in tune with technology and in line with how the modern criminal mind works."
The new law is not intended to target those who accidentally come into contact with obscene pornography; nor would it target the mainstream entertainment industry which works within current obscenity laws.
The Government aims to legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
Notes to editors
1. The Government launched its consultation paper On the possession of extreme pornographic material in August 2005. The Government has today published the summary of responses and next steps. This document is available at
www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
2. The proposed new offence outlines a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment for possession of material depicting serious violence and a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment for possession of material in the other categories to reflect the seriousness of the offences shown or depicted in the material. The Government is also proposing that the maximum penalty for the offences of publication, distribution and possession for gain committed under the Obscene Publications Acts will be increased from three years to five years’ imprisonment.
3. To arrange an interview with Vernon Coaker please contact the Home Office Press Office on 020 7035 3853.
4. The new offence will apply to England and Wales, and plans are being made to extend it to Northern Ireland. The consultation last August was held jointly with the Scottish Executive which will announce its response in due course.