UK lawmakers vow to tackle the issue of revenge porn
Revenge porn. It’s exactly what you think it is, and as of yet, there are no UK laws against it.
The horrifying retaliation trend involves scorned lovers publicising explicit photographs or videos without their subjects’ consent. And in the UK, action can only be taken against the pictures and videos if they are deemed a breach of copyright law, or harassment for under-18s.
But Justice Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs and campaigners alike that the government would be ‘very open’ to having a ‘serious discussion’ about the growing problem as soon as summer recess is over.
In the United States, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Idaho, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin have already passed laws that criminalise revenge porn.
New Jersey's law, for example, prohibits the distribution of sexually explicit photographs and films by any person ‘knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so’ and without the subjects' consent.
As the issue becomes graver in the UK, the necessity to create laws against these actions becomes more pertinent. The trouble is finding a way to monitor and police the publication of such images.
Former Culture Secretary Maria Miller said of Grayling’s promise: ‘We have to send out a very strong message that posting exceptionally explicit images online is completely unacceptable. People shouldn’t have to face this degrading treatment.’
So far, at least two women have committed suicide after being victim to revenge porn and Cyber Civil Rights has reported that 47 per cent of all victims have considered it.
Do you think revenge porn has gone too far? What should we do to stop it? Tell us your ideas in the comments box below…
