Criminal justice, extreme pornography and prostitution: Protecting women or promoting morality?

Abstract

This article provides a critical analysis of recent official discourses in the UK regarding ‘extreme pornography’ and prostitution. More specifically, the discourses relating to the relevant law reforms contained within the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 and the Policing and Crime Act 2009 will be analysed. The article examines the extent to which the Labour Government justified increased criminalization and regulation of pornography and prostitution by drawing on radical feminist perspectives. However, it will be contended that on a closer reading, which draws upon the work of Judith Butler, the Labour Government was more concerned with issues of morality and appropriate expressions of sexuality than tackling concrete harms. In conclusion, I argue that the Labour Government used the vulnerability of women to promote a moral agenda.