 |
| www.capitalotc.com/via google |
Sharing of intimate photos without the pictured individuals permission is soon to become illegal later this year.
People found guilty of sharing intimate photos or videos of others with intent to cause harm could soon be looking at up to two years imprisonment.
This law is said to cover content both on and offline. By definition revenge porn content is that of "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."
Most of the time these images are obtained by a former partner during a relationship and used at a later date to seek 'revenge' when the relationship breaks down.
However, revenge porn is not limited to former couples, it can also take form via hacking e.g. the recent explicit images that were released of celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson.
Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson both had their nudes leaked after being hacked.
The new law is hoped to reduce the amount of victims of revenge porn. Lauren Byrne, a student from Newcastle, had intimate photos she sent to her boyfriend shared online and thinks the law change is well needed so people can no longer get away with it with no repercussions like her boyfriend did.
CLICK TO VIEW THE INTERVIEW WITH LAUREN BYRNE
It's not just young people who have been affected by revenge porn. Many adults have also endured the devastating affects such as problems at work, humiliation, issues with friends and family etc.
Gail Hope, a 48 year old mother of two children from Gateshead who works in a school, stated "I see this type of thing happen a lot among young teens but I couldn't imagine how someone my age must feel, it's very upsetting ... for anybody."
She feels that the internet is strongly to blame but thinks the new law will put people off from sharing intimate photos.
CLICK TO VIEW THE INTERVIEW WITH GAIL HOPE
Through social media and modern technology the issue has become a bigger 'trend' but it's said to have been a growing problem for years.
Many victims find it hard to have their images or films removed from sites and many requests for content to be taken down is often ignored. With no specific law this meant content often remained visible and the person who posted it went unpunished.
One of the biggest loop holes people found to have their images removed was through copyright laws. Very commonly an individuals photo is taken as a 'selfie' and therefor the image belongs to the taker.
The new law is set to take force during the spring in England and Wales and the ministry of Justice are also launching an awareness campaign 'Be aware B4 you share' to help warn people that sharing private sexual photos can have a victim and to make it clear that anyone found guilty of sharing explicit images, without consent, will be prosecuted.
Click here to visit the be aware B4 you share Facebook page