The UK has banned pornography that depicts violent acts against women in a bid to stop the growing epidemic of violence and abuse against girls and women.
The Government announced it will criminalise pornography that depicts acts of strangulation following an Independent Porn Review, conducted by Baroness Gabby Bertin.
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the move, calling for similar legal clarity in Australia and a national campaign to raise awareness about the harms of violent porn and sexual choking.
The Centre’s Executive Director, Sally Stevenson, emphasised that online pornography plays a critical role in shaping attitudes and behaviours towards women. “85% of online porn is hardcore – violent, humiliating and/or degrading to women and accessible to anyone. This easy access unequivocally contributes to violence against women,” she said.
“It obscenely distorts understanding of consent and normalises coercion and sexual violence. It is, in short, rape training.”
The decision builds on existing protections in UK law, including the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which already criminalise the possession of extreme pornography depicting life-threatening acts.
In Australia, there is no single law that explicitly bans strangulation in pornography. However, a combination of classification, criminal, and online safety laws effectively prohibit it, including the National Classification Code and the Online Safety Act.
Meanwhile, non-fatal strangulation is a criminal offence in every Australian state and territory, with most jurisdictions rejecting consent as a defence if harm is caused.
Despite this framework, the majority of online pornography accessed in Australia is hosted overseas and never formally classified, creating a regulatory gap. Much of this violent material is accessible, but not explicitly policed unless reported or flagged by authorities.
Last year, a study was released called Prevalence of Sexual Strangulation/Choking Among Australian 18–35 Year-Olds conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland.
The study interviewed 4,702 Australians in this age range to look at the prevalence of strangulation. It found that 61 per cent of women had reported being strangled during sex.
“These findings suggest strangulation is common during sex among young Australians,” the report said.
“Non-stigmatising education strategies are needed to engage with young people so they have a better understanding of the risks involved and how to negotiate consent and safety regarding sexual strangulation.”
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is a place for women to heal and rebuild their lives if they have or are experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
Ms Stevenson said the Centre advocates for a national strategy to address the prevalence of strangulation.
“The legal tools are there,” Ms Stevenson said. “But without enforcement and comprehensive education, the harm continues. This is why we advocate for porn literacy programs, relationship education, and a national strategy to challenge these damaging norms.”
“We welcome the UK’s bold step and urge Australia to address the issue.”
In August 2024 a NSW Porn Harms Inquiry was established to inquire into the impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional and physical health. Submissions closed in January 2025, and a second hearing was held in May this year.
If you are affected by any of the themes in this article, please contact our team at the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
