A global cruelty problem

Across the world, disturbing videos of deliberate animal torture are being filmed and sold online for profit. In recent months, the global community has been outraged by reports of organised cat torture rings in China, where animals are mutilated, burned, and killed for entertainment. Their suffering is recorded and shared across social media for money and attention.

While these horrors may occur overseas, Australia is not immune. Videos showing the sexual abuse or torture of animals are still circulating here, yet Victorian law does not explicitly ban the possession or sharing of this content.

If we cannot make such material illegal at home, we cannot credibly call on other countries to do the same. Leadership begins here.

Legislation update: Major progress, but we need your help

On 19th Nov 2025, the Victorian Government has finally introduced new laws to outlaw bestiality and animal torture content.

The Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2025 will amend the Crimes Act 1958 to:

• Broaden the definition of bestiality to capture all sexual contact with animals.

• Create new offences to produce, distribute, possess, or access animal abuse material, including bestiality and “crush” videos.

• Introduce disposal powers allowing authorities to seize and destroy animal abuse content.

These reforms directly reflect calls made by Georgie Purcell MP, who raised this issue in Parliament following the exposure of horrific footage at a Northern Victorian piggery.

IMPORTANT INFO : The Bill has not yet passed. It must still clear both houses of Parliament before it becomes law. We need your help to make sure every MP supports it.

Take action today: Email or Call your State MP and urge them to vote for the Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2025.

Victoria must lead

By refusing to criminalise the possession and sharing of animal abuse content, we send the wrong message that Australia is willing to tolerate cruelty as long as it happens behind closed doors or on someone else’s servers.

Victoria can and must lead the way. When our state sets strong moral and legal standards, we not only protect animals here but also send a powerful message to the world that cruelty in any form is unacceptable.

Together, we can close this loophole and ensure justice for animals who have no voice.

Georgie Purcell MP demands action

In March 2024, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell questioned the Victorian Attorney-General in Parliament after the release of the shocking Farm Transparency Project footage.

She called out the disturbing reality that under current laws, only part of the sexual abuse committed in that case is technically illegal, and that Victoria still lacks specific offences for the possession or distribution of bestiality or crush material.

Georgie pressed the Government to close these loopholes and align Victoria’s laws with states such as New South Wales, where the Crimes Act 1900 already criminalises the production, possession and sharing of such material.

“Over 3000 sadistic videos of animal abuse are available online to Australians, including footage of kittens, puppies, pigs and rabbits being tortured to death. This content must be outlawed.”
– Georgie Purcell MP, Questions Without Notice, Victorian Parliament (19 March 2024)

Watch Georgie’s Question in Parliament