Intimate Image Abuse

22 Apr

Question

The Question session focused on the UK Government's legislative measures to tackle the issue of intimate image abuse. The discussion opened with Matt Turmaine, representing the Labour Party, querying the Minister about steps being taken to combat this growing form of online abuse.

Alex Davies-Jones, representing the Government, outlined proactive measures, including the introduction of offences specifically targeting non-consensual intimate image taking and the creation of deepfake images. She emphasized cross-government collaboration through the violence against women and girls ministerial group.

50% reduction in violence against women and girls over a decade

Government's overarching aim in legislative strategies concerning intimate image abuse

Davies-Jones reassured the attendees of ongoing legislative efforts aimed not only at addressing intimate image abuse but at contributing significantly to the Government's overarching goal of reducing violence against women and girls by 50% over the next decade.

Introduction of offences for non-consensual image taking and deepfake creation

Key legislative measures discussed during the session

She stressed the accountability of perpetrators whose actions, traditionally masked by societal leniency, would now face substantial legal consequences under new laws. Overall, the session highlighted a bipartisan commitment to reinforcing the legal framework to protect victims of intimate image abuse and enact justice for offenders.

Outcome

Outcome: The outcome of the session was a reaffirmed commitment from the Government to implement new legislation, specifically targeting the issue of intimate image abuse. This legislative push aligns with broader governmental efforts to halve violence against women and girls. The debate underscored the necessity for swift and robust legal mechanisms in response to technological advancements that embolden intimate image abuses.

Key Contributions

Matt TurmaineMP

Labour

Sought details on government actions against intimate image abuse.

Alex Davies-JonesMinister

Announced introduction of new offences for taking and creating non-consensual intimate images.

Original Transcript

Matt Turmaine

Watford

Lab

Question

UIN: 903771

15. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle intimate image abuse.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice

Alex Davies-Jones

We are introducing new offences of taking intimate images without consent and installing equipment with intent to commit such offences. We are also criminalising creating deepfake intimate images without consent.

I proudly co-chair the violence against women and girls ministerial group, which oversees a cross-Government approach to tackling VAWG, including online abuse.

Matt Turmaine

I thank the Minister for her answer. Sexually explicit deepfakes are a scourge on our society, whether it is young boys in their bedrooms making them of their fellow pupils and teachers, or those who create explicit images of celebrities to order.

How will the legislation the Government intend to bring forward on this help victims of this disgusting abuse and punish those who perpetrate it?

Alex Davies-Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. This Government are committed to halving violence against women and girls over a decade, and that includes the horrendous, degrading and humiliating crime of taking intimate images without consent, as well as creating deepfake images without consent.

For far too long, these crimes have gone unpunished, with perpetrators allowed to carry this out at will and to cover their sick behaviour under the rules of banter. We will not stand for it: we are legislating, and we are protecting women and girls.

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