If someone shares nude or intimate photos that you may have shared with them, without your permission, that could be considered ‘revenge porn’.
As we can see from the above example, the definition of revenge porn can actually be much broader than you may think. To really understand what is and isn’t considered revenge porn we’ll look at what is called a statute.
[HINT] – A statute is a type of law made by parliament. Lawyers often look to this to work out what the law is in a certain area first.
“It is an offence for a person to disclose a private sexual photograph or film if the disclosure is made without the consent of an individual who appears in the photograph or film, and with the intention of causing that individual distress.”
To breach this law, you can get a maximum of two years in prison
IAs we can see from the statute, there are 6 elements we are looking for:
Let’s consider the following example together:
0 of 8 Questions completed
Questions:
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading…
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You must first complete the following:
0 of 8 Questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
Is there disclosure here?
Remember what ‘disclosure’ means:
To share or show the image or video.
Has the image been shared or shown to people that would not have been able to see it otherwise? How did this happen? This might help to work out the image has been ‘disclosed’.
Is the item in question a photo or film?
We’re looking to see if it is a photo or film. The definition is very narrow, so have a think about how the scenario is described and see if it fits!
Is the photo a private photo?
Remember what ‘private’ means:
An image or video that is not intended to be seen by the public, not meant to be seen by everyone.
In this situation, do you think the boy wanted everyone to see the naked photo of him?
Is the ‘naked pic’ a sexual one?
Remember what sexual means:
When the image is to do with sex or perhaps a romantic relationship.
Was this sent in the context of sex or romantic relationship?
Has consent been given for the ‘naked pic’ to be sent?
Remember what we mean by consent:
Allowing, or giving permission for the photo or video to be shared.
From the question, has consent been given?
Was the ‘naked pic’ sent with the intention of causing distress to the individual in the image?
Remember what we mean by ‘intention of causing distress’:
This means that the image was sent to cause someone harm, anxiety or pain.
Do you think sending a naked photo to a group on WhatsApp would cause harm, anxiety or pain?
From the individual elements of the offence we have just been through, do you think it is likely that the girl committed the act of ‘revenge porn’?
Remember all the parts we just went through, and what the statute says revenge porn is.
If the girl was guilty of revenge porn, how long would she go to prison for?
Look back at the statute and sentence information you were given. It is important to pay attention to how things are worded.