What is Revenge Porn?
Revenge Porn is the sharing of explicit or sexual, images or videos, without the consent of the person in the image. This is an issue among people of all ages from children as young as 11 to much older adults.
In October 2020, it was revealed that 541 children aged 8 – 18 had been victims of Revenge Porn in the UK with a further 360 children potentially being victims. (Source: Guardian Newspaper). However, most reported incidents have come from people in their teens to adults in their mid-twenties. This is often due to a lack of available information and support regarding the dangers and consequences of sharing explicit images.
When did this become an issue?
Reported cases of revenge porn have increased significantly in recent years. Mobile phones are more powerful and most include a cameral. It has never been more easy to share images. This has led to an increase in people sharing intimate images with their partners via social media, text, and other instant messaging services.
What are the effects of revenge porn on the victim?
When a relationship deteriorates and the breakup is not an amicable, some individuals may choose to use any explicit images that they have of their ex-partner against them as a means of “revenge”. This can be extremely damaging for the victim. Such intimate and private images are, in most circumstances, intended to be seen by the recipient only. When such an image is shared with others and even the public, that person is then not in control of who sees this picture of themselves. This lack of control and feeling of humiliation can negatively affect that victim.
Originally, they might have trusted that partner enough to share such personal content with them and be reassured that the recipient would not act so maliciously. A violation of trust such as this can leave a scar that then has the potential to negatively impact the victim psychologically and jeopardise future relationships. Former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott had intimate images shared without her consent – twice. She described in a BBC documentary, the devastating effect on her mental health, and called for more support for victims.
What laws are in place to protect victims?
On the 13th April 2015 Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 came into force. This created a new criminal offence of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. (More commonly known as revenge porn.) Police and prosecutors had previously had the power to deal with such offences under other legislation (Communications Act 2003, the Malicious Communications Act 1988 or Protection from Harassment Act 1997).
Legislation introduced in 2015 made sharing of such images or films a specific offence in its own right and covered all social media platforms and electronic communication. The act criminalises sharing private, sexual images or films containing scenes that would not usually be seen in public. The term “sexual material” refers to images that show the genitals but also anything that a person would consider to be sexual, for example someone behaving in a sexual way or posing for a picture in a sexually provocative way.
So, what has changed recently?
There will now be a consequence to those who are found guilty of this crime. Perpetrators could receive up to two years’ prison sentence for this offence. There are also consequences for possession of images – see our article on Sexting.
The legal age for sexual consent in the UK is 16. The Protection of Children Act 1978 states that it is an immediate offence to obtain, possess or share indecent images of anyone under the age of 18 even if the images were received with the consent of the young person involved.
This also means that it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to possess, share, or send explicit or sexual images, even of themselves. In 2019, police forces in England investigated an average of 241 sexting cases a month involving children under 14. (Source: Guardian Newspaper).
Sexting between an adult and a child is extremely serious and the adult will be deemed as breaking the law. If you are concerned someone is sending your child indecent images you can report online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
Where can I find more information about this?
There is now plenty of information out there about revenge porn provided by the government and other governing bodies. Click the following link for more information about the specifics of revenge porn, offences and filing a report or see the “Helpful Links” section below.
How Safeline can help victims of Revenge Porn.
Safeline is able to support victims of revenge porn. Our helpline advisors and counsellors are experienced in dealing with such cases and can offer support and advice without judgement.
If you or someone you know has been affected by revenge porn and are considering reporting your case under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, speak to Safeline for confidential advice.
Our ISVAs are able to help you if you have been a victim and will support you through every step of reporting your case. For more information about our ISVA support follow this link.
More helpful links:
