Refuge responds to Baroness Bertin’s online pornography review

Responding to “Creating a Safer World – the Challenge of Regulating Online Pornography”, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge, said:  

“At a time when violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at epidemic levels, it is truly shocking that misogynistic and violent pornographic content continues to be readily available at the click of a button. Refuge welcomes today’s review of the harms of online pornography by Baroness Bertin, which makes 32 recommendations to mitigate this highly damaging content, including making non-fatal strangulation or ‘choking’ porn illegal. However, until the Government acts on these recommendations, women and girls will continue to experience the devastating repercussions of unregulated online porn.  

“We must not forget – the behaviours depicted in violent pornography are not confined to the online space. Misogynistic content has real consequences for the safety of women and girls, and is a disturbing reflection of the experiences of many domestic abuse survivors. At Refuge, our frontline staff routinely hear from women who have experienced non-fatal strangulation by their partner or ex-partner. This despicable form of abuse leaves women in fear for their safety and is a strong predictor of future domestic homicide. Pornography featuring strangulation should be recognised for what it is – a degrading display of violence against women with an undeniable link to domestic abuse. 

“Refuge has long been campaigning for tighter regulations around intimate image abuse, and we support Baroness Bertin’s recommendation to criminalise the taking or creation of all non-consensual intimate images, whether real or deepfake. Survivors of this horrific kind of abuse are often left feeling socially isolated, with long-term negative consequences for their mental health and wellbeing. The Government, along with all tech platforms, must act on this recommendation as a matter of urgency. 

“Our society cannot continue to normalise violent and abusive pornography. If the Government is to fulfil its promise to halve VAWG within the decade, it must address today’s review and make real, tangible changes to keep women and girls safe.”