Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Image-based Abuse

Tuesday 29 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Paul Blomfield asked about the effectiveness of legislation in protecting victims from image-based abuse.
  • The government responded that new provisions on threatening to share private sexual images are being implemented.
  • The government acknowledged the need for the law to adapt to technological advancements in abuse, such as deepfakes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Blomfield Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

Public concern over new technology being used to harm victims through image-based abuse has prompted the question.

Question

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation in protecting victims from image-based abuse?

Answer from Alex Chalk

We recognise public concern over new technology used to harm victims and are taking action. New provisions on threatening to share private sexual images come into force today, and we have asked the Law Commission to review the law on image abuse. The commission will publish recommendations in spring next year for careful consideration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was for an evaluation of current legislation's effectiveness, which was not provided.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Paul Blomfield Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS
Context

A constituent named Helen Mort faced a deepfake situation where ordinary images from her social media were superimposed on violent pornography, highlighting the need for legal protection.

Question

My constituent Helen Mort had the appalling experience of finding out that someone unknown to her had taken ordinary images from her social media and superimposed them on violent and extreme pornography. These were not intimate images, but they were used to create deepfakes. When she went to the police, she was told that there was no crime to investigate as the original images were not private. The Law Commission's review, to which the Minister refers, proposes extending the criminalisation of sharing intimate images to include deepfakes. Will the Minister ensure that the Government respond positively and quickly to those proposals so that people like Helen are protected in the future?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that harrowing case. We recognise that the law needs to keep pace with those who would use technology to perpetrate dreadful abuse. The Law Commission is acting at pace, and we will look carefully with a view to extending the law where appropriate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was for a commitment to respond positively and quickly, which was not fully addressed.

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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