Violence against Women and Girls: AI-based Crime
2026-09-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the rise of AI-generated deepfakes and the harm they cause to women and girls. The issue has gained prominence with the introduction of new technologies.
What steps are being taken to help tackle AI-based violence against women and girls crime in online spaces? I am concerned about the rise of AI-generated deepfakes and the significant harm they cause to women and girls. This issue has become more pressing with new technologies.
We have delivered a world-leading package of intimate image abuse offences, which criminalise taking or creating intimate images without consent, including AI-generated deepfakes. Through the Crime and Policing Act 2026, we have introduced new powers for courts to order the deletion of these images to better protect victims. We are not stopping there and recognise there is more to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete future steps beyond the existing measures
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The MP has stopped using X as a communication channel due to AI-generated illegal and harmful images, indicating a broader concern about the adequacy of current law in addressing AI-based violence against women.
Can the Minister tell me whether the current law is keeping pace with AI-generated intimate image abuse, and what assessment she has made of whether sentencing powers are adequate to reflect the harm that such images cause to women and girls?
The law alone is not enough, but we are strengthening the criminal law through world-leading packages. We are also strengthening the sentencing response to intimate image abuse, and have introduced new court powers to order the deletion and destruction of such images. However, more action is needed to ensure a stronger understanding and policing of these crimes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment of sentencing adequacy
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned that perpetrators can generate and share harmful content at unprecedented speed, requiring a faster response from Ofcom to keep women and girls safer.
What can the Government do to give Ofcom the power and ability to crack down on disgusting online content more quickly, so that we can keep women and girls safer?
Ofcom does have robust enforcement powers under the Online Safety Act 2023, including the power to impose substantial fines and other sanctions. The new Crime and Policing Act 2026 also requires platforms to remove the images within 48 hours and prevent the re-uploading of new hash-matching technology. The Government recognise the impact of harmful pornography and are determined to initiate work on this imminently.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures beyond existing powers
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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A domestic abuse survivor, Harmony Hayman, is concerned about her former partner's ability to perpetuate abusive behaviour from within prison, and the impact of early release on her safety.
Will the Minister look at Harmony's petition, in which she calls on the Government to look into how domestic abusers are able to perpetuate their abusive behaviour from within prison, and also to review their eligibility for early release?
I will look at Harmony's petition to see what more we can do, and look into the issues raised. We are working directly with organisations such as Apple and Samsung on stalking technology and verification tools to ensure they cannot be used to harm victims further.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct commitment to review the petition
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The surge in covert filming of women in nightlife settings, accompanied by misogynistic abuse, has driven engagement and profit for creators, raising concerns about the need for stricter measures.
The Government have committed themselves to making misogyny an aggravated offence, but will the Minister go further and commit herself to making misogyny a hate crime?
We are tackling misogynistic content online, whether it is pornography or intimate image abuse, and will be introducing measures in due course. I look forward to working with Members to tackle the problem holistically as a society.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific commitment to making misogyny a hate crime
Response accuracy