Modern games feature virtual rape, MP tells Parliament

MP for Leicester East Keith Vaz has put forward the questionable claim that players can rape women” in modern games to Parliament.

Vaz was speaking in support of of Conservative MP Julian Brazier’s Private Member’s Bill on Friday – which seeks to introduce an official governmental body that can challenge BBFC rulings.

According to Spong, Vaz stated:

People who are watching a film at the cinema cannot participate in what is happening on the screen, or if they do they are removed from the cinema.

"However, someone sitting at a computer playing a video game, or someone with one of those small devices that young people have these days, the name of which I forget… PlayStations or PSPs, something of that kind.

"Well, whatever they are called, when people play these things, they can interact. They can shoot people; they can kill people. As the honourable Gentleman said, they can rape women."

Vaz’s claims were questioned by Tory MP for Wantage Edward Vaizey.

He told Parliament: "…the right honourable Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz), who chairs the Home Affairs Committee, mentioned that some video games allow the participant to engage in a rape act…

"I checked the point with the BBFC and found it to be completely unaware of any such video game.

"Is the honourable Gentleman aware of any video game that has as its intention the carrying out of rape or that allows the game player to carry out such an act? The BBFC and I are unaware of any such game."