Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy in relation to television programmes in the United Kingdom depicting rape as a form of torture.

Section 2.3 of Ofcom's broadcasting code states that: “…broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context…such material may include, but is not limited to, offensive language, violence, sex, sexual violence, humiliation, distress, violation of human dignity, discriminatory treatment or language (for example on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion, beliefs and sexual orientation)”.

In respect of ‘adult sex material' – which contains images and/or language of a strong sexual nature, and which is broadcast primarily for the purposes of sexual arousal – this must not be broadcast at any time, other than on access-restricted services between 22.00 and 05.30. The most extreme material, equivalent to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) R-18 rating must not be broadcast at any time.