03/01/2013 - Film classification body responds to research and public concern

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is taking a fresh look at the way it certifies scenes of sexual and sadistic violence in response to recent research and audience concerns. The BBFC has found that members of the film viewing public find unacceptable certain depictions of sexual and sadistic violence, which, in their view, have the potential to cause harm.

According to the BBFC, members of the public support intervention by the body while at the same time giving adults the right to choose the kind of content they want. The main concerns are scenes that make sexual or sadistic violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy rape; and invite viewer complicity in rape or other harmful violent activities.

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David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said, “There is no ‘one size fits all’ rule for any theme under the BBFC classification guidelines, as long as what is depicted is within the law and does not pose a harm risk. Once again the public have told us that context, tone and impact, and a work’s over all message, can aggravate a theme, or make it acceptable, even in cases of sexual and sadistic violence. The decision as to whether and how to intervene in scenes of sexual and sadistic violence is complex, but drawing out and applying these aggravating and mitigating factors is helpful in arriving at a decision which balances freedom of expression against public protection.”