Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 13th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords, I support this important Bill and thank the noble Baroness, Lady Owen of Alderley Edge, for bringing it to this House. Deepfakes and image-based abuse are an issue that many young people, particularly young women, are concerned about. Therefore, it is powerful to see a young woman leading the charge for legislative change in this area. I am sure that your Lordships will agree that the contribution of young voices in politics is essential for influencing change.

Imagine a world where any woman can end up in a porn film without their consent—a world where only one image is needed for a life to be turned upside down. We are in that world, and we have a duty to act. It is not just women with a public profile being targeted; it is mums, daughters, sisters, work colleagues and friends. This Bill is consent based and victim led, supported by those who are most at risk and are living in fear. I pay tribute to the survivors and campaigners in the Gallery today.

The ease of creation of these images and videos is simply too easy, and we must act to deter this. Not acting will result in its normalisation—and then what world are we creating for future generations? Is the Minister confident that His Majesty’s Government are doing all they can to protect women from online harm? Sexual harassment is not acceptable in our streets, so why is it okay to continue in online forums? It is time that we prioritise the rights and interests of women and girls, and not the interests of perpetrators or platforms.

Creation offences in other jurisdictions are all comprehensive, and it is time that we caught up. The creation offences in Texas, the Netherlands and the Australian state of Victoria apply to all types of sexually explicit deepfakes, whatever the motives of the perpetrators. If a motive-based approach is adopted, England and Wales will fall behind best practice. I ask the Minister: who are we protecting by not supporting the Bill? I look forward to his response to all our questions. Doing nothing sends a stark message to women. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Commission on Justice in Wales

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to implement the recommendations of the report of the Commission on Justice in Wales, chaired by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede) (Lab)]

My Lords, the commission’s report, published in 2019, is substantial and makes 78 recommendations, a significant number of which are for the Welsh Government to consider. There are some recommendations that the Ministry of Justice is either already delivering or has agreed to take forward, including better disaggregation of Welsh data. However, the report’s principal recommendation to devolve justice to Wales goes considerably further than what is in the current Government’s manifesto. Our manifesto made commitments to explore the devolution of services to enable them to be more locally responsive, and as part of that strategic review we will look into probation as part of wider devolution across England and Wales. We will also work with the Welsh Labour Government to consider the devolution of youth justice. Overall, we will work with the Welsh Government to ensure that we deliver justice in a way that best serves the people of Wales.

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords, this month marks the fifth anniversary of the Thomas commission report, which called for the devolution of policing and justice to Wales. The Welsh Labour Government endorse this recommendation in their programme for government for 2021-26. Meanwhile, we have just heard that the UK Labour Government plan only to “explore” devolving youth justice and probation to Wales. Will His Majesty’s Government follow the calls of their Welsh Labour colleagues and take real action by devolving justice and policing to Wales?

[Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)]

The Welsh Government highlighted, in their May 2022 report Delivering Justice for Wales, the progress that they had made in implementing the Thomas commission recommendations that fall to them. They also commented that implementing the recommendation was delayed partly because of Covid-19. The commitment to pursue the case for devolution of justice and policing was included in the Welsh Government’s programme for government for 2021-26. However, as I made clear in the original Answer to the noble Baroness, the UK Government are not pursuing that option of complete devolution. We want to work in a constructive way on the initiatives that I have outlined to try to make the best possible benefit for the people of Wales.