Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
4th Report – Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 336
Published 5 March 2025
Recommendations
8
Accepted in Part
Create guidance for internet providers and web browsers on tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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18
Accepted in Part
Introduce statutory time limit extension for intimate image abuse, starting from victim awareness.
Recommendation
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 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.
Government Equalities Office
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19
Accepted in Part
Police treatment of intimate image abuse victims demonstrates lack of understanding and misogyny.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 a focus on non-consensual intimate image abuse.
Government Equalities Office
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20
Accepted in Part
Produce joint guidance to improve police response and content takedown for intimate image abuse.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 inform it.
Government Equalities Office
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22
Accepted in Part
Increase courts' use of deprivation orders to prevent perpetrators retaining intimate images.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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25
Accepted in Part
Accept StopNCII.org hash matching technology as a matter of priority.
Recommendation
Google should accept the StopNCII.org hash matching technology as a matter of priority. (Recommendation, Paragraph 125)
Government Response 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 for intimate image abuse.
Government Equalities Office
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27
Accepted in Part
Mandate consent-based offence for deepfake creation, including cultural intimate image abuse.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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Conclusions (1)
21
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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 Council is reviewing its guidance on ancillary orders.