TWO charities have come together to back a new law concerning the sharing of intimate images and have launched a campaign to clear up any misconceptions surrounding the term “revenge porn”
Scottish Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland have thrown their support behind the new legislation – passed unanimously by MSPs earlier this month – which leaves those found guilty of “disclosing or threatening to disclose an intimate image or film” up to five years in prison.
The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 makes it easier to prosecute acts of so-called revenge porn, but the two charities are concerned the term does not always relate to acts that occur following the break up of a relationship and isn’t always about revenge.
According to a YouGov poll, those surveyed almost universally think the meaning of the term relates to the sharing or threat of sharing intimate material when a relationship is over (91 per cent). Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) thought it relates to the threat of sharing when in a relationship.
The charities hope that these figures will highlight that these acts can occur both in and out of a relationship. They hope further that the campaign will change attitudes towards the crime and stress that the common factor in each case of so-called revenge porn is the abuse of privacy and trust by the perpetrator, regardless of the circumstances.
“That intimate images exist and are shared between consenting adults is not the problem,” said Brenna Jessie of Scottish Women’s Aid.
“The problem is perpetrators who abuse their power, breach her trust and share them without her consent, no matter their motivation.
“It’s so important that people understand that this crime isn’t just about ex-partners seeking revenge, but the sharing of any intimate images without consent. This can include ex-partners, current partners or people who’ve never been in a relationship, whether the subject knew the pictures were being taken or not. Unless you have explicit consent, it is both wrong to share intimate images and now it is illegal.”
One worry is that the use of the term may lead to a misunderstanding of the new legislation and could leave people unaware they are breaking the law when sharing such images. The website notyourstoshare.scot has been created to provide information on these issues.
“It’s important we increase understanding that these offences don’t always involve the person sharing the image seeking revenge,” said Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland. “Regardless of circumstance, sharing intimate images without consent is about power, control and humiliation and its impact is devastating.”
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