Sickening child-like sex dolls are being promoted for sale on Facebook, raising concerns over their disturbingly lifelike appearance and use of sexualized imagery. The National Crime Agency highlights the significant risks these dolls pose to children, urging vigilance towards those purchasing them.
Despite breaching Meta’s guidelines, these ads have proliferated on the platform, with over 1,300 published by various websites. A joint investigation by the Sunday Mirror and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism uncovered the extent of this issue, prompting Meta to remove the offending content from its platform.
While owning such dolls is not illegal in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service advises that importing, selling, or sending them through the post may constitute criminal offenses. The investigation revealed multiple Facebook pages dedicated solely to advertising these dolls, with some ads evading Meta’s detection mechanisms.
One website was found selling “mini sex dolls” resembling children, justifying them as legally distinct from child sex dolls. Ex-cop Jim Gamble emphasizes the concerning nature of individuals seeking these dolls, suggesting a potential risk to children and advocating for actions to prevent their sale and use.
In a recent case, a man in London faced legal consequences for importing a sex doll along with other offenses related to indecent images. Countries like Australia, Germany, Norway, and Denmark have laws criminalizing the possession of such dolls, aligning with Meta’s prohibition on content promoting adult sexual arousal products.
The National Crime Agency stresses that there is no valid reason for owning child-like sex dolls, emphasizing the inherent risks they pose to children. Collaborating with law enforcement, efforts are underway to prevent the importation and distribution of such products to safeguard children from potential harm.
