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Safeline welcomes proposed new Law to ban child-like sexual abuse dolls
New legislation to make it illegal to manufacture, sell or possess child-like sexual abuse dolls
The Government has backed new legislation that would make it illegal to manufacture, sell or possess child-like sexual abuse dolls, with offenders facing prison sentences of up to five years.
The Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Private Members’ Bill, which progressed to committee stage in Parliament on 4 September 2026, aims to close a significant gap in current legislation by creating a specific criminal offence relating to these items.
According to the Home Office, police have encountered child-like sexual abuse dolls during investigations into child sexual abuse and while monitoring registered sex offenders. However, existing laws do not currently provide a specific offence for owning or manufacturing these dolls. The proposed legislation would give law enforcement greater powers to seize the items and prosecute those involved in their production, sale, or possession. [gov.uk]
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Satvir Kaur MP, described the dolls as “disturbing” and said the new law would help authorities “disrupt offenders faster and protect more vulnerable children from these horrors.”
Proposed Ban on Child-Like Sexual Abuse Dolls
The proposed ban forms part of a wider government commitment to strengthen protections for children. Recent measures introduced through the Crime and Policing Act include mandatory reporting duties for suspected child sexual abuse, new offences relating to interference with reporting requirements, stronger sentencing provisions for grooming offences, and new laws targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
The Government has also announced £100 million of funding to improve prevention, investigation and support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
Child Protection and Survivor Organisations Respond
A number of child protection and survivor organisations have welcomed the Bill, including the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, NAPAC and CEASE, all of whom have highlighted the importance of preventing the normalisation or sexualisation of children in any form.
At Safeline, we welcome measures that strengthen child protection and help prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Effective legislation, alongside education, early intervention and survivor support services, are critical to creating safer communities and protecting children from harm.
Further Information
Read the Government announcement: New law to ban depraved child-like sexual abuse dolls
Did you know that Safeline offers specialist telephone and online counselling to survivors of child sexual abuse who live in England & Wales? Find out more