Over time we have witnessed an overwhelming rise in misogyny in the media and an increase in normalisation of sexual violence through pornography. Extreme and violent porn has shaped collective behaviours towards women and children.
We welcome Baroness Bertin’s porn review recommendations which proposes that porn videos considered too harmful for any certificate in the offline world should be banned online. This includes banning non-fatal strangulation, incest, any degrading, violent and misogynistic content and any content encouraging child abuse. It is estimated that in one month alone 13.8 million adults in the UK access online pornography. The average age of first seeing pornography is 13 years old.
With the increase in technology facilitated abuse including intimate deepfakes, we support the recommendation on banning nudification or ‘nudify’ apps. Along with other proposed recommendations, we agree with having safeguarding measures in place for performers and creators against exploitation and coercion.
Companies have profited from sexual violence for far too long and bringing regulations in place is a key step in ensuring an end to violence against women, in a world where digitisation and technology is increasing avenues for perpetrators to facilitate abuse.
These recommendations can have a major impact in curbing violence against women and girls in the real world. We encourage the government to accept these recommendations to further their mission to halve violence against women and girls.
Anyone experiencing violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence, or abuse, or those concerned about somebody at risk – support is available to you now.
Live Fear Free is a confidential and independent helpline that can provide advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 07860077333 or email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales. You can also access the Live Fear Free Helpline online chat by heading to: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
For more information, please contact Stephanie Grimshaw, Head of Public Affairs and Communications on Press@welshwomensaid.org.uk