MPs have taken a step towards banning child-like sexual abuse dolls after the Commons backed a private member's bill making it illegal to own, manufacture or sell them in England and Wales. The Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Bill, proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson, aims to close a legal loophole whereby importing such dolls is already illegal but possessing one is not, bringing the offence in line with possessing indecent images of children.

The bill passed its second reading without a vote, reflecting strong cross-party support, but still needs approval from both the Commons and the House of Lords before becoming law. It is drafted to cover any doll resembling a child or part of a child, to stop offenders circumventing the law with technicalities, and would allow police to seize such items, with convicted offenders facing possible prison time and monitoring. The NSPCC welcomed the progress, warning that there is no solid evidence the dolls prevent contact offences and that they risk desensitising users, and urged the Government to continue supporting the bill.