THE LEGAL TERM ‘child pornography’ has received Cabinet approval to be replaced by the term ‘child sexual abuse material’.

It’s one of several measures included in a Bill that Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan brought to Cabinet today: the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025.

Among the measures was Jennie’s Law, which will provide for a publicly accessible Domestic Violence Register of Judgements managed by the Courts Service, and a strengthening of the law on sexual consent.

Also in the bill was an amendment to the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, which will substitute “child sexual abuse material” for “child pornography”, and “child sexual abuse performance” for “pornographic performance” in each place that it occurs. 

The provision will not change any legislative provisions and is simply a replacing of the current term in use.

At present, those in the legal profession and journalists reporting on such cases must use the legal term of “child pornography”, a term that has been widely regarded as inappropriate and unsuitable.

The General Scheme noted that the rationale for the provision is that the term “child pornography” is outdated, “and fails to reflect the full horror of the sexual abuse involved in this type of material”.

“A sexual image of a child is ‘abuse’ or ‘exploitation’ and should not be described as ‘pornography’,” the note continues. 

“Pornography is a term used for adults engaging in consensual sexual acts distributed (mostly) legally to the general public for their sexual pleasure. Child abuse images or performances clearly do not fall into the same category.

“They involve children who are victims of a crime and are documentary evidence of a child being sexually abused.” 

The General Scheme will now be referred to the Justice Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and, when its report is received, work on finalising the Bill will be prioritised.