Anyone who participates in revenge porn – posting indecent pictures of someone to the internet, without their knowledge, ie being a massive prick – could face up to two years in jail, thanks to a new UK law.
Covering Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, as well as text messaging, the amendment will also deal with the physical distribution of the images.
‘We want those who fall victim to this type of disgusting behaviour to know that we are on their side,’ justice secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC. ‘The fact that there are individuals who are cruelly distributing intimate pictures of their former partners without their consent is almost beyond belief. That is why we will change the law and make it absolutely clear to those who act in this way that they could face prison.’
According to data from eight police stations across England and Wales, there have been 149 allegations of revenge porn in the last two years, but only six convictions – a stat which reveals just how important this new law will be.
Not only has it been impossible to stop the spread of images across social media and text message, but revenge porn sites have often refused to take down the pictures in question. Now, they won’t have a choice.
While the copyright of selfies belongs to the taker, this new law will strengthen the rights of those subject to revenge porn, or ‘photographs or films which show people engaged in sexual activity or depicted in a sexual way or with their genitals exposed, where what is shown would not usually be seen in public.’
Nicky Morgan, minister for women and equality, said: ‘Circulating intimate photos of an individual without their consent is never acceptable. People are entitled to expect a reasonable level of respect and privacy. It is right that those who do circulate these images are held to account, and that we educate young people to the hurt that can be caused by breaking this trust.’
It’s great that something like this is finally being taken seriously – would The Fappening have happened if such laws existed? It’ll be interesting to keep an eye on what this does to the conviction rate.
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Picture: Li Hui
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.