A Bill to create offences relating to the taking of a non-consensual sexually explicit photograph or film; and the creation of, or solicitation to create, a non-consensual digitally produced sexually explicit photograph or film; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
18 September 2025
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Bill would create two new offences about non-consensual sexually explicit imagery: one for taking or soliciting such a photo or film, and another for digitally produced versions. It keeps a defence of reasonable excuse, defines what counts as sexually explicit, and allows courts to order deletion of copies. The offences would apply only in England and Wales and would take effect when the Bill is enacted.
The Bill started in the Lords and has moved through several stages there, including a 3rd reading in February 2025. It has now reached the Commons with a 1st reading, so it is in the early stages of scrutiny there and has not yet become law. A Lords Select Committee report cited elsewhere on the same day highlighted concerns about delegated powers in other Bills rather than this one.
Generated 21 February 2026
6 Sept 2024
13 Dec 2024
20 Jan 2025
7 Feb 2025
Third reading - the final chance for the Lords to change the bill - took place on 7 February and no amendments were made.
What happens next?
The bill now goes to the Commons for consideration.
The Lords’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee’s Second Report flags serious concerns about broad delegated powers in two Bills: the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill and the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. It says the rail bill’s repeal-by-regulation power (sections 30A/30B) could be unlimited and should be clarified (and, if not time‑limited, subject to affirmative procedure); and it criticises the product/metrology provisions as “skeleton” powers that would let ministers determine most policy by regulation with little justification or scrutiny, recommending those powers be removed. Other Bills in the report raise no similar concerns.
The Bill creates two new offences in the Sexual Offences Act 2003: 66E criminalises taking or soliciting a non-consensual sexually explicit photograph or film of someone who does not consent, with a defence of reasonable excuse; 66F does the same for digitally produced sexually explicit images or films. It defines what counts as sexually explicit, keeps existing exemptions, and allows courts to order deletion of copies. The measure applies to England and Wales only and comes into force once the Bill is enacted.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
