Strangulation porn ban comes into force on Friday: what changes on 6 November

A ban on pornography showing strangulation or suffocation comes into force on Friday 6 November. From that day it will be illegal to possess or publish such material, as well as porn depicting incest or adults role-playing as children.

What exactly is being banned?

The new offences cover possessing or publishing pornography that depicts strangulation or suffocation, sexual activity between people who are related or are pretending to be, and adults role-playing as children under 16. Non-fatal strangulation is already a crime, but until now showing it in online porn has not been.

Why has the government brought in the ban?

The measure was recommended by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin, whose independent review of pornography was published in February 2025. She said strangulation in porn had become “totally normalised”. Research by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation in 2024 found that more than a third of 16 to 34-year-olds had been strangled or choked at least once during consensual sex.

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Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said the law was not about “criminalising harmless sexual preferences”. The government says the change is part of its aim to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

What do campaigners say?

The End Violence Against Women Coalition welcomed the ban but urged ministers to make sure it is properly enforced. Campaigners also want the Online Safety Act updated so that platforms are required to remove this kind of content.

Where can I get support?

If you have been affected by sexual violence or domestic abuse, you can call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or contact Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222.

Sources: ITV News, Ministry of Justice, End Violence Against Women Coalition. Photo: Ministry of Justice, Matt Brown / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.