Overview

This bill amends the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to include written material in the definition of child pornography offenses. It aims to close a legal loophole by making the possession of pornographic written material about children a criminal offense.

Description

The bill specifically amends Section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. This section currently covers the possession of prohibited images of children. The amendment extends this to include "pornographic written material about a child."

The bill defines "pornographic written material about a child" as written material that:

• Falls under the existing definition of prohibited images in Section 62(6)
• Is grossly offensive, disgusting, or pornographic, or otherwise obscene.

The bill also clarifies that if written material is part of a series (like a book or story), the context should be considered to determine if the material is pornographic. Material forming part of a narrative that isn't primarily intended for sexual arousal might not be considered pornographic, even if parts of it could be seen as such in isolation.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The impact on government spending will likely be indirect, potentially increasing costs associated with law enforcement, prosecution, and potentially prison sentences. Exact figures are unavailable from the provided text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Individuals possessing pornographic written material about children: They face criminal prosecution and potential penalties.
• Law enforcement agencies: Increased workload related to investigating and prosecuting these offenses.
• The legal system: Increased caseload for courts and legal professionals.
• Publishers and authors: Increased scrutiny on the content they produce and distribute.

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