Written question asked by Diane Abbott (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 May 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Sexually Objectifying Material

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the merits of introducing legislation similar to that protecting against incitement to racial hatred to protect women from sexually objectifying material.

Answer: I share the hon. Member’s concern at the portrayal of women in some parts of the media. However I believe there is a significant difference between material which is intended or is likely to stir up hatred and material which may ‘objectify’ a person and it would be a very large step to criminalise material in the second group. Moreover, in practical terms hatred is a concept well understood by the courts—it includes behaviour which is likely directly to drive up violence and the fear of violence. It is less clear what ““sexually objectifying material”” is and what the direct effects of such material would be. I believe there would be genuine difficulties for the courts in defining ““sexually objectifying material””. This could cover a very wide range of material including much that is commonly available through the media, works of art and comedy material.Legislation, including the Obscene Publications Act 1959, the Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981 and the Video Recordings Act 1984 already exists to protect people against illegal and harmful sexual material.

Secondary information