A UK private member's bill that would create a specific offence for buying, selling, owning or making child-like sexual abuse dolls reached committee stage on 4 September 2026, according to the Home Office. The Child-like Sexual Abuse Dolls (Offences) Private Members' Bill proposes jail terms of up to 5 years. The Home Office said police have encountered such items while investigating child sexual abuse suspects and monitoring registered sex offenders, but current legislation provides no specific offence for owning or making them.

Safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur said the government backed the bill to close that loophole and give police greater powers. The Home Office said the bill builds on measures in the Crime and Policing Act, including a mandatory duty for people in key roles to report suspected child sexual abuse and new offences covering AI child sexual abuse material. It also cited a record £100 million announced to combat child sexual abuse.

Children's Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza called the bill a long-overdue step. The NSPCC said it supported the bill's progress and that there is no comprehensive evidence such dolls prevent contact offences. NAPAC, Barnardo's and CEASE also welcomed the legislation.