15/08/2005

Government to crackdown on violent internet porn

The government is set to announce a crackdown on violent internet pornography.

The new measures, which are similar to those used to deal with child pornography websites, would give police greater powers to pursue those who operate violent sexual internet sites.

Currently, any British site that contains illegal violent sexual images, such as rape, strangulation and necrophilia, can be closed down. However, it is not illegal to access the same material on foreign websites.

The announcement of the new measures follows a meeting between Charles Clarke and the mother of murdered special needs teachers Jane Longhurst. Ms Longhurst, 31, was murdered by a friend, Graham Coutts, two years ago. At his trial, the court was told how Mr Coutts was addicted to violent sexual pornography.

The Home Office confirmed that talks had been held with the other G8 countries and internet service providers, in an attempt to strengthen the current laws against violent internet pornography.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are looking at ways in which the current law might be strengthened. We want to do all we can to block access to illegal sites.”

(KMcA/SP)

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