Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
8
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
The Government should create guidance for internet infrastructure providers and web browser manufacturers on tackling online non-consensual intimate image abuse, similar to that which already exists for online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This guidance should direct both groups to make use of a designated expert body’s registry of NCII …
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The Government should create guidance for internet infrastructure providers and web browser manufacturers on tackling online non-consensual intimate image abuse, similar to that which already exists for online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This guidance should direct both groups to make use of a designated expert body’s registry of NCII material. While there is no legal obligation to act in accordance with the guidance—and we understand the current voluntary approach with CSAM is working—the Government should do all it can to encourage companies to follow it, with a view to potential legislative solutions if there is insufficient take up. (Recommendation, Paragraph 58)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating it will explore the feasibility of producing specific guidance for internet infrastructure providers and web browser manufacturers, and notes existing measures under the Online Safety Act and Data (Use and Access) Bill to tackle NCII.
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Government Equalities Office
18
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
The Government should introduce an extension to the statutory time limits that apply to current and forthcoming intimate image abuse offences, such that the time limit begins only once the victim(s) is/are aware of the abuse. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)
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The Government should introduce an extension to the statutory time limits that apply to current and forthcoming intimate image abuse offences, such that the time limit begins only once the victim(s) is/are aware of the abuse. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, stating it is extending the statutory time limit for the new 'creating' and 'requesting the creation of' intimate image offences in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. It is considering the issue very carefully for other intimate image abuse offences.
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Government Equalities Office
19
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
Every victim of a sexual offence deserves to be treated with respect and have their case investigated promptly and effectively by the police. However, in many cases police treatment of victims of intimate image abuse has been characterised by a lack of understanding and in some cases misogyny, with officers’ …
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Every victim of a sexual offence deserves to be treated with respect and have their case investigated promptly and effectively by the police. However, in many cases police treatment of victims of intimate image abuse has been characterised by a lack of understanding and in some cases misogyny, with officers’ choosing to patronise victims rather than support them. This is unacceptable and must change. (Conclusion, Paragraph 103)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, outlining new College of Policing guidance on online image offending, existing core learning for officers, and over £13m funding for a new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection. This Centre will develop and deliver improved training for police officers, including …
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Government Equalities Office
20
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
The College of Policing, Ofcom, and the Revenge Porn Helpline should work together to produce guidance to improve the police response to reports of non-consensual intimate image abuse. That guidance should include the steps police officers need to take to help ensure that content is taken down and blocked as …
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The College of Policing, Ofcom, and the Revenge Porn Helpline should work together to produce guidance to improve the police response to reports of non-consensual intimate image abuse. That guidance should include the steps police officers need to take to help ensure that content is taken down and blocked as a matter of priority. (Recommendation, Paragraph 104)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, noting the College of Policing has already issued new guidance on online image offending. They are providing £13m funding for a new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, which will develop and deliver improved training, engaging with the RPH to …
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Government Equalities Office
21
Conclusion
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
Cases have been drawn to our attention where, at the end of the criminal justice process, perpetrators have had the devices containing the NCII content returned to them—even in cases where the perpetrator has been 55 served with a restraining order. It is needless for us to say how harrowing …
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Cases have been drawn to our attention where, at the end of the criminal justice process, perpetrators have had the devices containing the NCII content returned to them—even in cases where the perpetrator has been 55 served with a restraining order. It is needless for us to say how harrowing that must be for the victims of these crimes. It is staggering that the criminal justice system has allowed this to occur. The measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to make clear that perpetrators found guilty of the new offence of taking NCII can be deprived of that content are very welcome. However, they may not address concerns that people found guilty of sharing that content are not being deprived of the material. (Conclusion, Paragraph 109)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the implied recommendation to address perpetrators retaining NCII content. It confirms the Ministry of Justice already collects and will continue to review data on deprivation orders in NCII cases, and notes the CPS has updated guidance to prosecutors and the Sentencing …
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Government Equalities Office
22
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
The Sentencing Council must take steps to increase awareness of the ability of the courts to ensure that those charged with NCII offences forfeit all right to continued possession of that material, including both the physical removal of devices on which that material may be stored and deletion of any …
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The Sentencing Council must take steps to increase awareness of the ability of the courts to ensure that those charged with NCII offences forfeit all right to continued possession of that material, including both the physical removal of devices on which that material may be stored and deletion of any content stored remotely. In response to this report, the Crown Prosecution Service should also set out what action it will take to stop perpetrators of NCII abuse from retaining that content. The Government should collect data on the use of deprivation orders in NCII cases so that it can satisfy itself and others that the criminal justice system is taking seriously the impact on victims of perpetrators retaining the control of the harmful content. (Recommendation, Paragraph 110)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to continue reviewing data on deprivation orders in NCII cases, which it already collects. However, it cannot comment on the recommendations for the independent CPS and Sentencing Council, though it notes their updated guidance and ongoing review.
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Government Equalities Office
25
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
Google should accept the StopNCII.org hash matching technology as a matter of priority. (Recommendation, Paragraph 125)
Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, stating Google is able to consider adopting StopNCII.org hash-matching technology and the government would support its use. It notes that Ofcom, the online safety regulator, has powers to set out steps for search services and will consult on automated hash-matching tools …
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Government Equalities Office
27
Recommendation
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual in…
Accepted in Part
The Government’s plans to criminalise the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes/NCII, even if they are not shared, are very welcome and worthy of praise. However, the Government must ensure that the offence is consent- based and does not require the determination of any motivation on the part of the perpetrator. …
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The Government’s plans to criminalise the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes/NCII, even if they are not shared, are very welcome and worthy of praise. However, the Government must ensure that the offence is consent- based and does not require the determination of any motivation on the part of the perpetrator. Consistent with our recommendations for non-synthetic content, the offence must also include cultural intimate image abuse, so as to include deepfakes of someone without their attire of religious or cultural significance that they commonly wear in public. (Recommendation, Paragraph 134)
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Government response AI summary
The government has introduced a consent-based offence for non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes without requiring a motivation element, with amendments tabled to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. However, they have not included culturally sensitive images in this offence.
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Government Equalities Office