Sexual Violence Content

Sexual violence is a crime in New Zealand.

It’s also against the law of New Zealand to make, possess, or share content that promotes or supports sexual violence.

Content that shows sexual violence causes harm to real people, whānau and communities. The creation of this material involves the direct abuse and exploitation of the victims. The sharing and viewing of this content continues that abuse and increases the risk of harm, including to future victims, by promoting or supporting the behaviour, making it seem sexually appealing, easy to do, or presenting it as having no consequences.

This page tells you what New Zealand law (the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993) says about sexual violence content and what you can do if you come across it.

This information is for general understanding and awareness. It is not legal advice

What is sexual violence content?

Sexual violence content refers to explicit content depicting rape, sexual abuse or sexual assault. When this content promotes and supports sexual violence by encouraging these behaviours, making them seem acceptable or desirable in real life the content will be illegal.

What does sexual violence content include?

Content involving sexual violence can be images, videos, livestreams, video games or any online content. It often includes real people, but it doesn’t have to. The Classification Act treats Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI), and animated sexual violence in the same way as sexual violence containing real-life abuse. Even if content is fake, it can still encourage real-life harm. You can read more about AI and the law here.

Is sexual violence content illegal?

The law that says content promoting or supporting sexual violence is illegal in the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993. It is a crime, and there are serious legal consequences if you are involved in creating, accessing, or sharing this material.

Images or video recordings of real-world sexual assault – which might be shared online or uploaded on a pornographic website – are almost certainly illegal.

What does “promote or support” mean?

In this context, promote or support means content that encourages, normalises, or presents sexual violence as acceptable or harmless. This includes material that approves of it, justifies it, or suggests it should be engaged in.

It can also include content that provides instruction or endorsement, and in some cases, this may include material presented as fictional, humorous, or for entertainment, depending on how it is framed and the overall message.

Can sexual violence in pornography be illegal?

Some pornography features aggressive or non-consensual themes involving performers in fantasy scenarios, or other content like BDSM. BDSM is consensual sexual role play involving things like bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism.

In general, content showing consenting adults engaging in sexual fantasy scenarios and BDSM is restricted to adult (i.e. R18, which means restricted to adults). While it’s likely to be harmful to children and young people, it’s a legitimate and protected form of sexual expression for adults.

However, more extreme or harmful content can sometimes cross the legal line – especially if it looks like someone is forced to participate in an unwanted sexual act.

How do I know what’s illegal?

Knowing where the legal line is a matter of expert judgment of the Classification Office. The key question that the Office will consider is whether the content promotes and supports the sexual violence depicted. Content that presents sexual violence, where a person is being forced or coerced into sexual activity in an erotic or pleasurable way may be determined to be illegal.

Are all representations illegal? What about fiction, satire or news reporting?

The law, and the Classification Office office, places a high priority on freedom of expression.  The law does not ban all content that deals with sexual violence.

Content that refers to sexual violence in a factual, critical, or harm-focused way, such as news reporting, education, or legal discussion, is not considered to promote or support it and is not illegal.

Incorporation of themes of sexual violence in fiction, film, or other entertainment (which do not endorse or encourage the behaviour) are not illegal. Sometimes an age restriction may be placed on this content due to the potential harm for younger audiences (as, for example, in a R16 film).

Where sexual violence is presented erotically, with the intent of sexual arousal, the publications are almost certainly going to be illegal. Some fantasy-based presentations in pornography may sexualise the violence but represent consensual role play, the distinction is a matter of expert judgment.

New Zealanders have told us they are particularly sensitive to content involving sexual violence. We take this into account by applying clear content warnings to films, series and games where sexual violence may harm audiences, and by providing information to help people make informed decisions about what they view or play. For more information about sexual violence in films and series see our Find a Rating page.

About the Classification Office’s role and how the law works

The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 balances freedom of expression with protecting people from harm – especially children and young people.

Every piece of content the Classification Office sees is different and to decide whether something is illegal it must consider each one on its own merits and carefully apply the Act and the principles of fairness and natural justice. There are also serious penalties for offences under the Act. This is why decisions about whether content is illegal are made by trained experts at the Classification Office, who, guided by the Act, follow a very transparent and fair process before making a decision.

You can read more about the classification process here.

Why or where might people come across objectionable sexual violence content?

Like any content, people can come across sexual violence content in a variety of ways – for example, on social media feeds, websites, messaging apps, or by being shown content in person. Content might be unwanted or show up unexpectedly, or people might seek it out intentionally.

How to report harmful or illegal content

If you come across harmful, distressing, or illegal content online, it’s important to report it.

Reporting helps protect you, your whānau, and others, supports safer online spaces, and ensures the right agencies can act. You don’t need to be certain whether content is illegal, different New Zealand agencies can assess it and respond appropriately. You can report content even if it’s hosted overseas.

Find out who to report to and how to report harmful or illegal content in New Zealand.
How to Report Harmful or Illegal Online Content in New Zealand

People across Aotearoa have consistently told us they are concerned about the harms of extreme content. Young people, parents and caregivers, grandparents, aunties and uncles, educators, and community leaders are worried for themselves, for young people, and for their communities.

Addressing these harms is a shared effort, supported by clear laws, dedicated agencies, and community action. Together, we can reduce harm by not creating or sharing objectionable content, protecting wellbeing, and reporting harm when we see it.

What’s next?

For parents and whānau: The Classification Office has a range of practical resources to help you support young people who may be encountering extreme content online — from conversation starters to insights shared directly by rangatahi.

For educators and those working with young people: Our resources focus on supporting young people safely and confidently, including guidance on keeping yourselves safe in those conversations and knowing what to do if concerns arise.

For young people: Learning about this content is an important step in staying safe and understanding where the legal line sits. If you need to report something, you can find out how here. If you’d like to talk to someone, our list of support helplines is available here.