Skip to Content

Is so called Revenge Porn illegal in England?

Hundreds of people in England have had explicit photos or videos published on the internet without their consent, with a number of high profile celebrity cases making the headlines and highlighting this deplorable action, but the question must be asked that in most cases the perpetrator is known but so few have been charged, so is their action illegal.

Revenge porn is not a new phenomena, long before the advent of the internet the distribution of images of a former partner were often posted to friends and family, it can be said that the internet and digital images have made the whole process easier, but always the same result to the victim.

Many victim of revenge porn are sympathetically told that no action can be taken, and in most cases the action cannot be reversed as the images or video are copies and copies again by other websites.

The truth is that revenge porn can be prosecuted under existing laws, what we do not have is a law that covers specially this act.

At the moment charges can be brought for harassment if multiple actions have occurred, these do not all have to be revenge porn, for example, one instance of revenge porn together with other forms of harassment could bring about charges. The perpetrator can be charged under the sex offences act, malicious communications act, protection of children act and the communication act, but in the past 2 years only 6 allegations have resulted in police action.

This we hope will change as revenge porn is to be made a specific offence in the criminal justices and courts bill which is expected to come into force in 2015.
Until the new rules come into force the crown prosecution service have update its guidance to raise awareness with the police, highlighting how prosecutions can be brought about.

In the UK there are over 30 web sites dedicated in distribution of revenge porn, we would like to see the owners and employees of these sites being made responsible and to face prosecution as well as those who have made the submission to the site.
Unfortunately the victims of revenge porn are often accused of being at fault, but signs of a shift in attitude are showing, and having a law especially for a crime shows that the action is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

The media has also helped when reporting cases like Jennifer Lawrence, branding it horrific, which is in stark comparison to how they reported Paris Hilton 10 years earlier.

We are pleased that the CPS has given clarity to the police on how prosecutions can be made and that the government are acting with a specific offence, we hope this goes far enough.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Major Change in Divorce Law - no fault divorces

Government to finally introduce 'no-fault' Divorce laws..

link

Fraud Solicitors | Solicitors.com

Fraud Solicitors. Fraud could be described as a deception in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain, usually monetary...

Mediation Solicitors.

Mediation Solicitors.
Mediation is a process during which a couple is helped by an impartial third party (a mediator). ..

Motoring Offences | Drink Driving.

Motoring Offences - Drink Driving.
If you have been stopped for drink driving it is important that you obtain legal advice as soon as possible and, to assist y..

Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Social Media hampering police investigations.

Its time social media worked better with the police...

Financial Orders | Family Law.

What happens to money, property and debt with divorce, partnership and relationships splits?..

Defamation Law Solicitors | Solicitors

Defamation Law Solicitors. Defamation (also called calumny, libel (for written publications), slander (for spoken word), and vilification) is the communication..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Civil partnership for Heterosexual Couples

A change in the marriage laws..

Children and the Law - Smacking

Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..

Plea services launched online.

Plea services launched on-line for motoring offences -
The Government has launched a new service that allows motorists charged with summary offences to enter a..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top