Opportunities to put an end to widespread sexual exploitation and child abuse overnight are rare, but the Government currently has one. Within a few weeks, all pornography websites may be required to validate that all individuals in their videos are adults, have given consent for the publication of the video, and have the ability to revoke their consent at any time.
It might be assumed that these basic protections were already in place, but they are not. Mainstream pornography sites have been found hosting instances of child abuse, sexual violence, and trafficking victims due to the lack of age verification and consent procedures.
This lack of oversight extends beyond just user-generated content. Alia Azariah, a survivor of coercion and abuse in the pornography industry, highlighted the powerlessness individuals face in removing videos depicting their most challenging moments without their consent.
On March 2, the House of Lords voted in favor of mandating pornography websites to verify the age and ongoing consent of all individuals featured on their platforms. These measures are in line with the Online Safety Act and acknowledge the unique nature of the pornography industry, necessitating specific regulations.
Charities such as UK Feminista, Barnardo’s, and CEASE, along with survivors, support these safeguards. As the Crime and Policing Bill returns to the Commons, the Government faces a decision on whether to uphold or discard these protections. Ultimately, this choice reflects whose rights the state prioritizes and safeguards: those of pornographers or the individuals, including men, women, and children, whom they profit from.
The time has come to clearly demonstrate where our allegiance lies.