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Written question asked by Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Levitt (Labour) on Monday, 20 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Intimate Image Abuse and Voyeurism

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government when section 98 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 pertaining to offences relating to semen-defaced images, intimate photographs or films and voyeurism will commence.

Answer

Section 66D of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides information on how to interpret the “sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film” offences in section 66B. Section 66D(2) states, “A person “shares” something if the person, by any means, gives or shows it to another person or makes it available to another person.”

“By any means” would include the sharing of such images without consent using digital tools such as a chatbot, app or other software, if a person has requested or prompted the digital tool to do so, whether as part of the creation of the image or as a separate act.

Section 98 and Section 102 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will be commenced by regulations as soon as reasonably practicable. We must ensure that there is sufficient time to consider and manage the impact on the criminal justice system and for law enforcement to update guidance as well as train prosecutors and police officers.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1834
Session
2026-27
Registered interest declared
Yes
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Pornography Intimate image abuse Voyeurism
Legislation
Crime and Policing Act 2026
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk