Posting “revenge porn” images and videos on the internet is becoming a criminal offence in England and Wales.
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which has a specific amendment dealing with such actions, will receive Royal Assent and become law later. Offenders face up to two years in jail.
The amendment covers images sent on social networks, including Facebook and Twitter, and those sent by text. There is nothing to say this could not be extended to those posting false or inaccurate adverts on “adult directories”. We have seen this in the past but we are always quick to react to it when it has been found. Visitors to our site help to detect false adverts and our own quality team often spot them.
Identifying Revenge Internet Images
When we see a photo of a girl on a deckchair sitting around the table with her family having a meal, it’s a big clue she is not an escort in Manchester !
These changes are planned for England and Wales but Scotland and Northern Ireland are considering the introduction of similar laws.
The offence will cover “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”.
It covers images shared on and offline without the subject’s permission and with the intent to cause harm. Physical distribution of images will also be covered.
More can be seen on the Government website.
