Our response: Government to criminalise the depiction of strangulation in pornography

Bernie Ryan, CEO of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, responds to the Ministry of Justice announcement:

“We welcome the government’s decision to criminalise the depiction of strangulation in pornography. In April 2024, the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) held discussions with Baroness Bertin where we discussed the risks associated with strangulation. It is encouraging to see that the recommendation made in Baroness Bertin’s report, Creating a safer world: the challenge of regulating online pornography, which widely referenced the work of IFAS, is being implemented. Our research shows that there is no safe way to strangle. Criminalising the depiction of strangulation in pornography sends a clear message about the serious harm strangulation can cause.

As pornography has become increasingly easier to access and view, many young people’s early interactions with sexual experiences are being informed by what they have viewed in pornography and this includes viewing acts of strangulation also referenced as “choking” within pornography.

In October 2024, IFAS, in collaboration with Bangor University, undertook a pilot survey, aimed at understanding the prevalence of strangulation/choking during sex in the UK. The survey found that over a third of 16-34 year olds reported being strangled/choked at least once during consensual sex. A quarter of 16-34 year olds reported having strangled/choked a partner during consensual sex. IFAS will be conducting a more in-depth survey later on this year to further explore these findings.

Baroness Bertin’s report highlights that there is “no external moderation, monitoring, or auditing of online pornographic content and that mechanisms for reporting and removing illegal content are not fit for purpose”.

Therefore, whilst IFAS welcomes this announcement we will be looking closely at how this is actually implemented online to ensure platforms are compelled to remove this type of content.

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Media enquiries: Thaira Mhearban, thairam@ifas.org.uk