Partners who share sex pics of ex-lovers to get jail even if no proof of intent
Ex-partners who share “revenge porn” will face up to six months in jail even if lawyers can't prove they meant to cause distress to their victims.
Until now, predators faced no punishment if there was no proof the intimate photos or videos were shared intentionally to cause harm.
But in plans to be announced today, anyone found guilty of sharing images without consent will be slapped with a maximum penalty of six months in custody.
If intent to humiliate or gain sexual gratification is proven, the new rules could see abusers put on the sex offenders’ register in addition to a two-year jail punishment already in place.
For the first time, the sharing of ‘deep fake’ intimate images – explicit images or videos which have been digitally edited to look like someone else – will also be criminalised with up to two years of jail time.
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Georgia Harrison said: “The reforms to the law that has been passed today are going to go down in history as a turning point" (BBC)The use of deep fakes has been increasing in recent years with a now-defunct website that virtually strips women naked receiving 38 million hits in the first eight months of 2021.
Research shows one in seven women and one in nine men aged between 18 and 34 have experienced threats to share intimate images
The reforms, which will be added to the Online Safety Bill, come after campaigning from former Love Islander Georgia Harrison, who bravely waived her right to anonymity when taking her ex Stephen Bear to court for sharing footage of them having sex without her permission.
Bear was jailed for 21 months in March after having been found guilty of voyeurism and disclosing private, sexual photographs and films.
Ms Harrison said: “The reforms to the law that has been passed today are going to go down in history as a turning point for generations to come and will bring peace of mind to so many victims who have reached out to me whilst also giving future victim’s the justice they deserve.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this campaign and it just goes to show how amazing our country is that the government have reacted so quickly to push through these amendments.”
Stephen Bear was jailed for 21 months in March after having been found guilty of voyeurism and disclosing private, sexual photographs and films (Getty Images)Ruth Davison, the chief executive of Refuge, said: “Refuge welcomes these amendments to the Online Safety Bill. Intimate image abuse is a multifaceted and complex form of domestic abuse, which can be perpetrated in many ways.
“At Refuge, we know that conviction rates for intimate image abuse remain woefully low. The amendments to the Online Safety Bill announced today will make it easier to prosecute perpetrators of intimate image abuse, ensuring justice and better protections for survivors."
Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said: “Intimate image abuse causes significant distress to victims and survivors, and often exists as part of a wider pattern of abuse that continues offline.
“I am pleased to see these changes in the Online Safety Bill that will hold perpetrators to account for this insidious form of abuse and hope to see it pass soon.”
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Justice Minister Edward Argar said: “No-one should ever fear that their intimate images will be put online without their consent and the true courage shown by Georgia Harrison to tell her story will help empower more victims to come forward and get the justice they deserve.
“Our reforms will make it easier to convict these vile individuals and protect women from being subject to such predatory abuse.”
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said: “We are cracking down on abusers who share or manipulate intimate photos in order to hound or humiliate women and girls.
“Our changes will give police and prosecutors the powers they need to bring these cowards to justice, safeguarding women and girls from such vile abuse.”
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