Anew law was launched today, June 27, with the aim of cracking down on so-called revenge porn and “bringing cowards to justice”. Criminals sharing intimate images without consent now face six months in prison for the ‘vile’ offence.
Revenge porn was criminalised in 2015 but until now prosecutors had to prove there was an intention to cause humiliation or distress. Under new laws introduced today, prosecutors will no longer need to prove perpetrators intended to cause distress by disclosing images or videos.
With the requirement removed, it should be easier to secure convictions, the Government said. Amendments to the Online Safety Bill would also make revenge porn a base offence with a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, the Ministry of Justice said.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this campaign and it just goes to show how amazing our country is that the Government have reacted so quickly to push through these amendments.”
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said: “We are cracking down on abusers who share or manipulate intimate photos in order to hound or humiliate women and girls. Our changes will give police and prosecutors the powers they need to bring these cowards to justice, safeguarding women and girls from such vile abuse.”
The legislative changes will also deliver on Government plans announced last year to ban the sharing of deepfake pornography – explicit images or videos that have been digitally manipulated to look like someone else – without the consent of those depicted.
Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said: “Intimate image abuse causes significant distress to victims and survivors and often exists as part of a wider pattern of abuse that continues offline. I am pleased to see these changes in the Online Safety Bill that will hold perpetrators to account for this insidious form of abuse and hope to see it pass soon.”
Ruth Davison, Refuge chief executive, welcomed the amendments amid “woefully low” conviction rates for intimate image abuse. She said: “At Refuge, we know that conviction rates for intimate image abuse remain woefully low. The amendments to the Online Safety Bill announced today will make it easier to prosecute perpetrators of intimate image abuse, ensuring justice and better protections for survivors.”
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