Members of the UK Parliament have moved closer to outlawing child-like sexual abuse dolls, having backed a new bill that would make it illegal to own, create, or sell them. The legislation, known as the Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Bill, passed its second reading in the House of Commons on September 4, 2026, without a formal vote, indicating broad cross-party support.
The bill seeks to close a legislative loophole that currently makes it illegal to import these dolls but legal to possess them within England and Wales. Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson, who introduced the private member's bill, stated that the draft law would address a "dangerous" gap by equating the possession of such dolls with possessing indecent images of children.
"These dolls are simply vile and they should have been banned years ago," Wilson said. "Anyone using these dolls quite clearly presents a danger to children and these items have no place in our society." She added that she felt compelled to act after discovering the gap in the law and expressed hope for the bill's smooth progression.
Under the proposed legislation, law enforcement would be empowered to seize the dolls. Offenders found guilty could face imprisonment and monitoring. The bill is designed to encompass any doll that "resembles a child or any part of a child" to prevent circumvention of the law.
The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has expressed strong support for the bill. Abigail Gill, acting head of policy and public affairs at the NSPCC, commented, "The Bill, which seeks to criminalise the manufacture, distribution and possession of child-like sexual abuse dolls, is an important step towards closing a dangerous gap in the law."
"There is no comprehensive evidence that the use of these grotesque dolls prevents potential offenders from committing contact offences against children," Gill stated. "In fact, using these dolls or other realistic props could risk adults becoming desensitised, as is often seen among those who view indecent images. Anything that appears to normalise or mimic the abuse of children and young people is dangerous and unacceptable."
The bill will require further approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law. Advocates stress the importance of passing the bill to enhance child safety.