A new law took effect in the UK today declaring that anyone who shares explicit images without consent of those pictured can be jailed for up to two years. The law is the first of its kind to make this practice, commonly known as “revenge porn,” a specific legal offense. These photos and videos are often taken in a trusting relationship; that trust gets deeply abused when someone — usually an ex — distributes the items without consent.
According to Mashable, the law will open up new doors for prosecutors seeking justice for victims who’ve had photos released on- or offline. The law “covers images that show the genitals but also anything that a reasonable person would consider to be sexual, so this could be a picture of someone who is engaged in sexual behaviour or posing in a sexually provocative way,” explained the Crown Prosecution Service. For an image to constitute an offense, it must have been disclosed without consent and with the intent of causing the individual on film distress.
The UK also has a dedicated helpline for victims of “revenge porn” that works with media companies and law enforcement agencies to get photos taken down. According to Time, the UK is also cracking down on Internet trolls, the hateful online commentors that send messages with the “intention of causing distress or anxiety.” Maybe we should all move to the UK?
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