Mother to win ban on violent porn (UK News)

[DVTimes]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...re/5297600.stm

A mother whose daughter died at the hands of a man obsessed with violent internet porn is set to win her fight for a ban on possessing such images.


The BBC has learned the government will announce a ban on Wednesday on the possession of violent sexual images.

It follows a campaign by Berkshire woman Liz Longhurst whose daughter Jane, a Brighton schoolteacher, was killed by Graham Coutts.
Mrs Longhurst's campaign was backed by MPs and a 50,000 signature petition.

Hidden body

In November last year the petition won cross-party support when it was presented to the House of Commons and was backed publicly by the solicitor general Harriet Harman MP.
Since her daughter's death Mrs Longhurst, 74, from Reading, has fought a long campaign to ban the possession of images of sexual violence.



Mrs Longhurst said: "My daughter Sue and myself are very pleased that after 30 months of intensive campaigning we have persuaded the government to take action against these horrific internet sites, which can have such a corrupting influence and glorify extreme sexual violence."

Jane Longhurst, 31, was found dead on Wiggonholt Common, near Pulborough, West Sussex, on 19 April 2003.

She had been strangled with a pair of tights and her body kept in storage for weeks before it was found.

In 2004, musician Coutts, 36, of Waterloo Street, Hove, West Sussex, was convicted of her murder and on appeal he was ordered to serve a minimum 26 years in jail.

Trial jurors had heard about Coutts's obsession with strangulation and how he looked at internet sites connected with the fetish.

At the moment it is a crime to make or publish the images but campaigners say that does not stop people viewing the images on their computer through sites beyond the reach of the British courts.
Mrs Longhurst said legislation, which would apply to websites wherever they were based in the world, would mean her daughter's death had not been "entirely in vain".

The move by the government would close a legal loophole.

Reading West MP Martin Salter, who backed the campaign, said: "This campaign has taken a huge amount of time and effort but it has struck a chord right across the country.

"It is great news that the Government has not only listened but has responded to calls to outlaw access to sickening internet images, which can so easily send vulnerable people over the edge."

This year five Law Lords sent Coutts' case back to the Court of Appeal to "invite that court to quash the conviction".
It was argued that jurors in the original trial should have been offered the option of manslaughter as well as a murder verdict.

[DVTimes]

bump.............

[Sarah_Jayne]

I have been mentioning this case in threads for ages and nobody was taking it seroiously.

[Sarah_Jayne]

also the family refuse to see that their daugther was into kinky sex and blame it all on porn..they need to say what voilent means

[viva celebs]

how violent is violent?

[Sarah_Jayne]

exactly..that needs to be clearly defined. This is a nation full of spanking and bdsm nuts. It needs to made public what is 'violent' or a ton of people are going to have stuff on their computer could cause problems.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by viva celebs

how violent is violent?

When you strangle to the extent of committing murder - sounds fairly violent

Seriously.. only my - and considering I know absolutely nada about that weirdo and, presumably, thrill stuff - violence is abuse and the law takes an interest in abuse in all it's forms.

[bizarredollars]

Sarah,

If you haven't already, take a look at www.melonfarmers.co.uk - it's a great resource for british censorship issues. Also http://www.backlash-uk.org.uk/ is devoted to this subject.

-Alan

[Sarah_Jayne]

Her mother is on News 24 at the moment..I am sorry for her loss but she is talking about of her ass.

[bizarredollars]

What really worries me about this is, like with the obscene publications act, we will not know what is and isn't legal, as it will be up to a jury to decide.. which means people will have to go through arrest, investigation, cps and then maybe procecution, based on what some ignorant narrow minded copper thinks.

[Sarah_Jayne]

exactly...I wouldn't be too upset if it was over pictures of actual rape, snuff, etc but unless they come out and expressly say that then it is left too far open. Another problem is that there isn't going to be a reporter that is going to ask 'what does that mean for normal bondage sites?' and open that debate. Meanwhile, somebody will take their computer for repair at PC World and have some bondage stuff on their computer and end up in court.

[Antonio]

hm, it all depends on what they concider violent

if they ban anything with blood in it I have no problem with that, that's just plain sick, but yet again, if you switch your tv on you'll see enough violence

[viva celebs]

I think spanking sites will become illegal.

if you think about it when the child abuse laws came in it meant parents couldnt smack their own kids because it was considered child abuse. so if you put the same laws on violence in porn then spanking will be considered violence and become illegal.

[bizarredollars]

If you take a look at the links I posted above, you will find details of what they are proposing.. From what I have read, I think even the use of ballgags in non-violent consensual situations could be grounds for procecution - which is odd, as it is perfectly legal for sex shops to sell gags, restraints, whips etc... and everyone has heard the kinky shit our polititions get up to, visiting dominatrixes etc.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Antonio

hm, it all depends on what they concider violent

if they ban anything with blood in it I have no problem with that, that's just plain sick, but yet again, if you switch your tv on you'll see enough violence

The problem is what is real and what is fake? Are they going to allow a double standard that allows movies with people getting shot/stabbed/the shit beaten out of them but ban it from porn?

While that sort of shit isn't my cup of tea, I think they need to be a little bit more specific than just saying violence.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

What really worries me about this is, like with the obscene publications act, we will not know what is and isn't legal, as it will be up to a jury to decide.. which means people will have to go through arrest, investigation, cps and then maybe procecution, based on what some ignorant narrow minded copper thinks.

Don't think it's that bad - ie don't think the coppers opinion matters too much. The Director of Public Prosecutions/CPS are well known for not pursuing cases where there is little chance of success.

Other factor is the CPS will, if they do want to pay attention to this case, probably review their position and publish guidelines on their website to give a clue as to legality.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by viva celebs

I think spanking sites will become illegal.

if you think about it when the child abuse laws came in it meant parents couldnt smack their own kids because it was considered child abuse. so if you put the same laws on violence in porn then spanking will be considered violence and become illegal.

If normal spanking sites, involving what are clearly adults, are banned then turn on the tv to see me protesting in front of Downing Street.

[frank7799]

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

also the family refuse to see that their daugther was into kinky sex and blame it all on porn..they need to say what voilent means

From the mother´s point of view it´s understandable. She needs something or someone to blame. But it´s complete bullshit that viewing porn causes those crimes. People who comit such crimes as mentioned in the article will do, regardless if they get access to porn or not.

But it´s a nice reason to enforce the restrictments of adult entertainment for the government.

And that´s only the beginning, I´m afraid.

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by viva celebs

I think spanking sites will become illegal.

if you think about it when the child abuse laws came in it meant parents couldnt smack their own kids because it was considered child abuse. so if you put the same laws on violence in porn then spanking will be considered violence and become illegal.

I am not so sure about this, as spanking would come within the BBFC's guidelines, which I suspect will be used as a defense when the first cases come up..

Under BBFC rules 'mild' bondage/fetish material is allowed, when it is consensual and does not inflict harm.. Flogging will probably be a no-no (has been prosecuded under OPA in the last couple of years I think), or anything that would leave bruising/welts etc.

I can see this going to the human rights court, as this has to do with peoples lifestyles, and privacy. Two things we are supposed to be guarenteed (although it's a joke in most cases).

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by m4yadult

From the mother´s point of view it´s understandable. She needs something or someone to blame. But it´s complete bullshit that viewing porn causes those crimes. People who comit such crimes as mentioned in the article will do, regardless if they get access to porn or not.

But it´s a nice reason to enforce the restrictments of adult entertainment for the government.

And that´s only the beginning, I´m afraid.

The thing is, her son was drawing pictures of women with nooses around their necks etc, long before the internet became so popular in the UK. The only reason this will go through is because the mother got so much media attention, and the MP's will go a long with it because the people who vote for them follow the media like sheep.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by m4yadult

From the mother´s point of view it´s understandable. She needs something or someone to blame. But it´s complete bullshit that viewing porn causes those crimes. People who comit such crimes as mentioned in the article will do, regardless if they get access to porn or not.

But it´s a nice reason to enforce the restrictments of adult entertainment for the government.

And that´s only the beginning, I´m afraid.

It is understandable but her entire family - mostly the other sister - have been out in the media blaming nothing but porn since it happened. Their daughter was into being choked. Now, of course she shouldn't have been killed but they say things like 'but she was a teacher' and stuff as if to suggest that means she couldn't have been into violent sex. Of course it had to be porn.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

I am not so sure about this, as spanking would come within the BBFC's guidelines, which I suspect will be used as a defense when the first cases come up..

Under BBFC rules 'mild' bondage/fetish material is allowed, when it is consensual and does not inflict harm.. Flogging will probably be a no-no (has been prosecuded under OPA in the last couple of years I think), or anything that would leave bruising/welts etc.

I can see this going to the human rights court, as this has to do with peoples lifestyles, and privacy. Two things we are supposed to be guarenteed (although it's a joke in most cases).

I predict a future Sun headline that involves saying the European court of human rights is supporting snuff sites..when they rule against this law.

[Manowar]

I wonder what affect this will have on affiliates of programs such as DukeDollars. The government really are fucking stupid when it comes to putting in laws like this

[viva celebs]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

I am not so sure about this, as spanking would come within the BBFC's guidelines, which I suspect will be used as a defense when the first cases come up..

Under BBFC rules 'mild' bondage/fetish material is allowed, when it is consensual and does not inflict harm.. Flogging will probably be a no-no (has been prosecuded under OPA in the last couple of years I think), or anything that would leave bruising/welts etc.

I can see this going to the human rights court, as this has to do with peoples lifestyles, and privacy. Two things we are supposed to be guarenteed (although it's a joke in most cases).

either way i think it needs clear guidelines, cos if it just "all violence" then spanking etc dont stand a chance, wither its consensual or not.

personally i think it will go through with all violence as the majority of the british public will just hear "ban violence in porn" and support it thinking the worst. and the MP's are already supporting it.

but the police have bigger things to deal with like cp etc so i dont think its gonna have major police investigations after it becomes law. i think it will become a case by case law.

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by Manowar

I wonder what affect this will have on affiliates of programs such as DukeDollars. The government really are fucking stupid when it comes to putting in laws like this

In theory, an affiliate could be prosecuted now under the OPA, (I read on another board about an affiliate being done for advertising for an oversea's DVD seller).. The new law will affect the people buying the content, not just those of us who peddle it.

[Manowar]

Originally Posted by viva celebs

either way i think it needs clear guidelines, cos if it just "all violence" then spanking etc dont stand a chance, wither its consensual or not.

personally i think it will go through with all violence as the majority of the british public will just hear "ban violence in porn" and support it thinking the worst. and the MP's are already supporting it.

but the police have bigger things to deal with like cp etc so i dont think its gonna have major police investigations after it becomes law. i think it will become a case by case law.

and as soon as one case goes against someone, a lot of webmasters will take it down out of fear

[Webby]

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

I predict a future Sun headline that involves saying the European court of human rights is supporting snuff sites..when they rule against this law.

Mmmm.. sure, this the problem when trash media start pumping sensationalism - if they push hard enough, chances are there could be a change in legislation or the guidelines for obscenity.

Always noticed stuff like bondage/spanking blah has always attracted legal activity - even mild versions. For almost 20 years (70's-80's) the Obscene Publications Squad had weekly standing orders to visit certain warehouses and check for this type of content. One warehouse was visited every Thursday afternoon and they usually removed a few cartons of "stock" (mostly US imported mags). That was then shown in court in the hope of getting a seize and destroy order - sometimes successful, sometimes not - in which case they returned the material. This area has always been a running battle

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by viva celebs

but the police have bigger things to deal with like cp etc so i dont think its gonna have major police investigations after it becomes law. i think it will become a case by case law.

I can see them doing a few busts at first, with a lot of publicity to get media attention - and perhaps raise extra funding for the Obscene Publications squad, or whatever they call themself nowadays.

[frank7799]

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

It is understandable but her entire family - mostly the other sister - have been out in the media blaming nothing but porn since it happened. Their daughter was into being choked. Now, of course she shouldn't have been killed but they say things like 'but she was a teacher' and stuff as if to suggest that means she couldn't have been into violent sex. Of course it had to be porn.

It´s always the same, no matter of the country involved. A similar case took place in germany some years ago. A pupil killed a teacher and some kidds at school with his father´s weapons.

End of story, they - German government - made a new law which forces German webmasters to verify the age of their customers by MAIL. Yes, I´m not kidding so far. A German webmaster has to send an age verification form by regular mail to give his customer access to his site.

You can imagine the effects to the conversion rate. Nothing has improved since, crime rates are still the same. So any relationship between online porn and those violent crimes are bullshit.

Major German adult companies have moved their business to The netherlands,
Beate Uhse - owner of sex.de - for example is located now in Zeeland.

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by Webby

Mmmm.. sure, this the problem when trash media start pumping sensationalism - if they push hard enough, chances are there could be a change in legislation or the guidelines for obscenity.

If they would just tell us exactly what is and isn't allowed, I wouldn't have such a big problem with it. It's the thought of having your life on hold while they decide if they are going to prosecute that worries me, and then if they do, it being down to a jury to decide if something depraves and corrupts. How are you supposed to obide by a law which is so vague, you don't know where the line is drawn?

[bizarredollars]

If my memory serves me correctly (it is several years since I researched this), in Denmark, when they removed all censorship, sex crime rates fell very significantly?

[Manowar]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

I can see them doing a few busts at first, with a lot of publicity to get media attention - and perhaps raise extra funding for the Obscene Publications squad, or whatever they call themself nowadays.

Exactly. Some to get the message out and instill fear in those who work in the industry / enjoy the product.

[MaddCaz]

yea eff violent porn

[frank7799]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

If my memory serves me correctly (it is several years since I researched this), in Denmark, when they removed all censorship, sex crime rates fell very significantly?

Yes, there was a scientific study about the changings in law and the effects to rape and other sexual related violent crime. But who cares if it´s scientific? As long as it is popular and doesn´t involve costs everything is OK for politicians.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

If they would just tell us exactly what is and isn't allowed, I wouldn't have such a big problem with it. It's the thought of having your life on hold while they decide if they are going to prosecute that worries me, and then if they do, it being down to a jury to decide if something depraves and corrupts. How are you supposed to obide by a law which is so vague, you don't know where the line is drawn?

The Home Office/CPS appears to be a lot more helpful now than in the past. Hell, they don't really want to be bogged down by "porn" issues - especially when they can be thrown out by a jury.

I've not got it handy - but the CPS does publish guidelines on their website covering adult/obscenity issues (It's part of the Home Office website). If they make changes, the chances are they will publish guidelines on their website - tho hell, bet that will only be limited to "thou shalt not depict strangulation"

[frank7799]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

If my memory serves me correctly (it is several years since I researched this), in Denmark, when they removed all censorship, sex crime rates fell very significantly?

http://www.springerlink.com/content/...nski%20berl%22

[xcitecash]

Its about time the words sex and violence were seperated as they should be !!!

[Manowar]

I think there's still problems that exist in the laws of today, like what the OPA actually covers and I think if they were going to crack down a lot of people would be caught out randomly by acts that are covered by the obscene publications act, even before they introduce new laws like this. On another note, I added this story to Here -if anyone wants to add any comments I'll talk to a friend and try and get it featured on some of the websites that are publishing the news.

[Manowar]

Originally Posted by xcitecash

Its about time the words sex and violence were seperated as they should be !!!

Sadly the government won't think of it like that, and internet pornography isn't taxed so they have no reason to support it.

[Manowar]

Originally Posted by MaddCaz

yea eff violent porn

Your sig program

BoobieBondage.com
MakeThemGag.com
RareBondage.com
MaxFisting.com

would all fall foul of it

[bizarredollars]

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.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by bizarredollars

It's the thought of having your life on hold while they decide if they are going to prosecute that worries me, and then if they do, it being down to a jury to decide if something depraves and corrupts. How are you supposed to obide by a law which is so vague, you don't know where the line is drawn?

Are you in the UK bizarredollars? Know that feeling well

It was a constant covering of ass and trying your best to not contravene one thing or other. It was a pleasure to relax on Saturdays knowing that the Dirty Dozen (Obscene Publications Squad) were not working

[Webby]

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.

There's a clue

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by Webby

Are you in the UK bizarredollars? Know that feeling well

Yep... Up North Although, really starting to think a move to the netherlands might be in order (or at least part time, will do all my uploading from a hotel room or something )

[Manowar]

Originally Posted by Webby

Are you in the UK bizarredollars? Know that feeling well

It was a constant covering of ass and trying your best to not contravene one thing or other. It was a pleasure to relax on Saturdays knowing that the Dirty Dozen (Obscene Publications Squad) were not working

I'm guessing you've escaped, lucky sod

BizarreDollars seems to be in the UK from his contact forms on his site, so I'm guessing he has a better reason than most to worry about screwed up new laws like this/

[frank7799]

"The vast majority of people find these forms of violent and extreme pornography deeply abhorrent."

So it´s a crime nowadays to like what the majority of people doesn´t like. That´s the real problem of this case. Morals and likes of the middle ages become law.

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by Webby

There's a clue

Includes - Meaning: not limited to (have you guessed I am a 'the glass half empty' kind of guy yet?).

But seriously, that is a little reassuring I suppose .. They are far more likely to prosecute people with rape fantasy stuff, than they are consensual bdsm, deepthroating etc... Time will tell

[bizarredollars]

Originally Posted by Manowar

I'm guessing you've escaped, lucky sod

BizarreDollars seems to be in the UK from his contact forms on his site, so I'm guessing he has a better reason than most to worry about screwed up new laws like this/

How do my contacts on my site give it away?? Not bothered by it, just curious

[bizarredollars]

Ah.. just noticed - the MSN address (duh!)

[Webby]

Originally Posted by Manowar

I'm guessing you've escaped, lucky sod

BizarreDollars seems to be in the UK from his contact forms on his site, so I'm guessing he has a better reason than most to worry about screwed up new laws like this/

Yea.. after a few decades, got the brainwave that the simplest way is operate in an environment more friendly to the adult biz - that and taxes.

To be honest - was "wary" of certain adult areas and this prob covered ass pretty well - tho that never stopped the law trying to find fault, - but was a fairly friendly relationship to the extent ya could say, "You can't be serious!" and they would give up and have another cup of coffee

Sure... if BizarreDollars is trading in this area - he definately needs to be aware, tho it "appears" the Home Office is at least being more helpful these days, but sensationalised stuff in the media is not going to help. There's the "in thing" to try and prosecute - and any aspect of that case is likely to be a candid.

Ah! And if shit really hits - it may be a clue to move out to a more friendly area to operate in