Extreme ‘eunuch’ pornography and the limits of consent

The issue of whether the criminal law should consider consent in determining offences related to harm inflicted for sadomasochistic pleasure has once again been highlighted by the courts in the recent sentencing of individuals in the UK involved in the creation and distribution of extreme ‘eunuch’ pornography. The article explores this case within the context of legal limits placed on consent to sadomasochistic sex first set down by R v Brown , a decision which has received much criticism. It concludes by defending some limits on consensual sadomasochism in light of the recent case, while acknowledging the need to decriminalise more ‘mainstream’ acts of sadomasochistic sex.