Last month, Cambridge PHD graduate Dr Matthew Falder was sentenced to 32 years for at least 137 offences including rape, after blackmailing a group of 46 men, women and children over the internet to perform a series of inhumane and degrading acts such as self-harming, licking toilet seats and sexual acts. Three of his victims have attempted suicide.
Falder created a fake profile on Gumtree, pretending to be a woman and convinced other Gumtree users to send him photos and other information. He would then use email servers to move contact with the victims to the Dark Web in an attempt to remain untraceable.
This is just one example of online sex abuse.
The IICSA is currently conducting 11 inquiries into child sex abuse in the UK including The Internet and Child Sex Abuse and Child Sex Abuse In Nottinghamshire to which Farleys represents a Core Participant.
As part of the Inquiry into the internet, the IICSA is investigating the child abuse via streaming online, grooming of children for sex abuse via social media and other websites, and creating, possessing and sharing indecent images of children.
In addition, there has been an increase in the number of people coming forward who have been victims of revenge porn. Last month, YouTuber Chrissy Chambers won a claim against her ex partner after he covertly recorded videos of the couple having sex and posted them online.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Revenge Porn Helpline has seen an annual increase in the number of reports of Revenge Porn. In 2015, over 500 people contacted the helpline. In 2017, this figure rose to over 1000.
Whilst revenge porn is not a new phenomenon, it has only recently been made a criminal offence in England, Wales and Scotland and it will shortly be criminalised in Northern Ireland. S.33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, defines revenge porn as “the sharing of private, sexual materials, either photos or videos, of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress”.
This includes posting or sharing photos and videos of sexual activities normally done in private and/or photos and video of individuals who are only wearing underwear or are entirely without clothes.
Those convicted of the offence may face up to two years imprisonment in England and Wales and up to five years imprisonment in Scotland.
Here at Farleys, our specialist solicitors have been instructed by numerous victims who have suffered a variety of abuse, including internet abuse. Whilst all cases are fact-specific, in certain situations, it may be possible to bring a claim directly against the abuser, provided that they have the means to be able to compensate their victim. However, the majority of our clients bring actions against the bodies responsible for the abuser’s actions.
This area of the law is undoubtedly complex. Nevertheless, as the number of victims who are subject to internet abuse continues to grow, it is arguable that websites, internet service providers, banks and other organisations which allow or enable videos, photos or profit from internet abuse to be distributed should be liable for the actions of the abusers.
Sadly, many victims of abuse suffer psychological injuries as a result of their experiences. Many victims find closure in bringing a claim against their abuser and are then able to use their compensation to fund counselling or therapy to aid their recovery.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of abuse, you can discuss a potential claim with one of our experienced solicitors in the strictest confidence. Please telephone us on 0330 134 6430 or e-mail us at info@farleys.com.
