A man from Manchester has become the region to be jailed for offences classified as revenge porn. Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court found the defendant guilty of sharing sexually explicit photos of an ex partner with the intent to cause malicious harm.
In an online act of revenge against his former girlfriend, the defendant posted compromising photos on various social media sites, leaving them up for a number of hours before finally removing them. The magistrate held that sharing private sexual photos of the victim without previously obtaining her consent was a “gross breach of trust”, sentencing the defendant to five months in jail.
The Crown Prosecution Service has made clear the zero policy stance they are adopting under the new Revenge Porn Legislation. The sharing of intimate images online is just the latest form of abuse, emotionally and psychologically damaging to victims. The very nature of the offence itself highlights the way in which online social platforms created to allow individuals to build and maintain relationships can be equally detrimental in the destruction of a victim’s confidence. Sadly in an age where online content can go viral in a matter of minutes reaching circles outside of the victims locality, the solution is rarely as simple as removing the photo from its original source.
Whilst the criminal side to revenge porn is beginning develop a strong precedent with a number of prosecutions heightening public awareness, the civil side is still vastly under developed. Typically in abuse cases there is the opportunity to pursue both criminal and civil action. This allows victims to claim compensation for the physical, sexual and emotional abuse they suffered at the hands of their abuser, providing individuals with funds to access treatment and support facilities.
With revenge porn cases, excluding those involving physical incidents of abuse, the damage caused to the victim tends be primarily on an emotional and psychological level. In a society where increasing value is placed on an individual’s public image it will be interesting to see how the courts recognise this is relation to abuse law. Until the first civil verdict is delivered we can merely speculate, hoping that the courts recognise the victim’s right to compensation following such an ordeal.
Here at Farleys Solicitors our dedicated abuse claims team are recognised on both a regional and national level for their work in abuse law. For a free confidential discussion with a dedicated member of our abuse team call 0845 050 1958, alternatively please complete an online enquiry form.
As of the 1st October 2015 victims can now pursue compensation claims regarding revenge porn. For further information on how we can assist you click here.