I said the first time the sister of this woman started mumbling this was going to go all the way. I have yet to hear a real description of what makes a violent site extreme...ie does it have to be real looking rape? Is a spanking site that hits too hard going to land you in jail?
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Ban on violent net porn planned
Murder victim Jane Longhurst's family has campaigned for new laws
Possessing and accessing extreme internet pornography could become illegal under government proposals.
Distribution of extreme pornography is illegal in the UK but this does not affect foreign websites, so new laws could ban possession of it in Britain.
The Home Office and Scottish Executive are consulting on whether new laws are needed and what should be covered.
The idea was welcomed by the family of Jane Longhurst, of Hove, murdered by a man addicted to violent net porn.
The aim is for a new offence of possessing violent and abusive pornography, which could be punishable by up to three years in prison, Home Officer Minister Paul Goggins told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Goggins said such images were "extremely offensive to the vast majority" and had no place in society.
A Home Office spokeswoman added the proposed law included deliberately viewing such images which meant "effectively downloading" the information on to the computer.
The new laws would not affect people who came into contact with pornographic material by accident.
Distribution ban
"These forms of violent and abusive pornography go far beyond what we allow to be shown in films or even sold in licensed sex shops in the UK, so they should not be available online either."
UK-based websites and other distributors face prosecution under the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
Mr Goggins told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We do feel it necessary to provide some form of protection for the public, particularly for young children increasingly accessing the internet, it is very important that we protect them from accessing these kinds of extreme pornographic images," he said.
He said there was also a responsibility to "reduce demand" for this kind of material, both to protect those who were abused in its making as well as the public.
He added that accidental accessing such material would be a defence.
Cathy Jamieson, Scottish Executive Justice Minister, said: "Violent pornography is abhorrent.
"If it is found that the law can be strengthened to cut violent pornography from our society, then we will take action."
The proposals were welcomed by Metropolitan Police Commander Dave Johnston.
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