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The types of extreme pornography that will be banned from Friday
From 6 November, possessing or publishing certain types of pornography will become a criminal offence in the UK. The government says the change is intended to curb material that may normalise violence against women and girls, and to support its commitment to halve such violence within a decade.
The ban covers pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation, penetrative sex between certain relatives, and sexual activity involving someone who appears to be under 16 or is role-playing as under 16. It applies where a reasonable person would believe the people shown are real. The maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment for the first two categories and three years for material involving someone under 16. A 2024 study found more than a third of adults aged 16 to 34 had been strangled or choked during consensual sex; a separate survey found 43 per cent of sexually active 16- to 17-year-olds had experienced it.
In short
- New UK offences take effect on 6 November.
- The ban covers three categories of extreme pornography.
- Maximum prison terms range from two to three years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue the ban can reduce access to material that may make strangulation, suffocation or sexual activity involving apparent minors seem acceptable, helping to protect people from harm and reinforce safeguards for children. They see criminal penalties as a proportionate response to especially harmful content, consistent with the government’s commitment to reduce violence against women and girls.
The case against
Critics may accept the aim of preventing harm while questioning whether criminalising possession and publication is effective or proportionate, particularly where material depicts consenting adults. They may argue that broad or uncertain definitions could restrict lawful expression and private viewing, and that education, consent-focused interventions and enforcement against abusive conduct would address the risks more directly.
Explained simply
In the UK, laws already restrict some extreme pornography. The new rules add specific depictions of strangulation or suffocation, sex between certain relatives, and sexual activity involving someone who appears to be under 16 or is pretending to be that age.
The law applies when a reasonable person would think the people shown are real. It makes possessing or publishing the covered material a criminal offence, with different maximum prison sentences depending on the category.
The government says the change is part of its effort to reduce violence against women and girls. Surveys have also found that choking during consensual sex is reported by some young people and adults, a context relevant to the debate about the ban.