POSESSION of 'extreme'/violent internet porn set to become illegal in the UK
 

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.

rest of the article

yeah...I'm a bit too worried this will be way too restrictive.

oh common be common serious, spanking does not come under violent porn

I say its good, anyone that is building Similated rape sites needs to be shot.

Where ever there is Money I'll be there like the next man, but do it with some fucking morals and respect for women!

Fuckin scumbags

Have you read some of the comments on the BBC's website regarding this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4196864.stm

Amazingly for a country that has a reputation for being prudish, most people seem to be against the ban!

yeah jeez... someone is putting commonsense in the water. (even though I personally consider violent porn fucked)

How is someone supposed to know what's the content of a movie he downloads just by watching a random screenshot of it? People can end up possesing such material without being prepared for that.

On the kids watching adult material over the net....I'll tell you this. It's about time govts to put blame on parents as well for the supervising for their kids. When a kid goes to a bar with a fake ID not only the bar owner faces problems, but the parent as well. If you want to switch something to illegal, at least do it by covering the irresponsibility of parents as well.

I blame bush :1orglaugh

There are two key things that have been said about this legislation which immediately point to it being nonsense:

1. It will protect children - How exactly? It won't stop this material being produced - so how will it help?

2. The MP helping push this law through was on ITV news claiming this would stop production of "snuff" movies where people are actually being killed on camera for sexual gratification of consumers of the movies...

...say no more?

WTF? Pretty soon UK and the US will be as restrictive as a Muslim country.

I agree with you but without clear guidelines how do you know it won't be something someone is called up to defend in court? Or the sites that a lot of people here promote where the woman is being choked, etc?

I have often wondered why the internet has to be a place for kids anyway.

why dont they have net rights aswell, thats just silly

So the internet should be geared for 5 year olds. Anything that offense to anyone over 5 should be banned? And no kids do not have the same rights as adults. If parents do not want their kids to see "bad" things they should be parents then. besides as we all know that no kids are viewing this and that it really about Jesus freaks wanting to tell other adults what they can or can not view.

why don't adults have the right to enjoy an environment as an adult without all areas having to be kid safe ? Too much of the world is geared towards under 18's anyway.In the "real" world there are bars,clubs,movies,resturants,etc where kids are not allowed. I am not suggesting kids shouldn't be allowed on the 'net BUT just kicking around the idea that not everywhere has to be a place kids go and I don't see why it is automaticlly assumed the internet is a place for kids.