In April 2015, the Criminal Justice and Courts Act created a new criminal offence of revenge pornography (revenge porn), making it a criminal offence to disclose private and sexual photographs and films without the consent of an individual who appears in them and with the intent to cause that individual distress.
Today, statistics obtained by the Lancashire Telegraph via a Freedom of Information request show that the number of people coming forward as victims has more than doubled in East Lancashire and the County as a whole over the last 12 months.
Both Children and Adults are becoming victims of ‘revenge porn’ and it has been reported that the youngest victims range from 13 years old to 15 years old.
Politicians are calling for more work to be done to educate children about the ‘disgusting’ crime.
Hyndburn and Haslingden MP, Graham Jones, has reported that it is a despicable crime and that you are taking somebody’s most private moments and making them public for the sole purpose of revenge.
Graham Jones feels for the victim who must be going through considerable embarrassment, if not humiliation. He admits that some young people will make mistakes as they are growing up as they are naturally immature, however for them to become victims of crime must cause them huge distress.
It has been reported that in its first year 15 people reported being victims of revenge porn in East Lancashire, while 33 people came forward last year. Overall in Lancashire the figures were 28 in 2015 and an astonishing 92 in 2016.
Statistics further show that the youngest alleged perpetrator in East Lancashire was 17 years old, with the oldest being 37. The oldest victim in East Lancashire was 40 and in Lancashire as a whole was 51 years old.
Andrew Stephenson, MP of Pendle has said that he is very supportive of the legislation to criminalise sexting and ‘revenge porn,’ however there is more that needs to be done to encourage victims to come forward and to educate children about the dangers.
Mr Stephenson, is extremely concerned to be seeing children as young as 13 becoming the victims.
Blackburn MP, Kate Hollern is in agreement with Andrew Stephenson and is supportive of the relevant authorities taking action to bring perpetrators of such crime to justice.
A Police Spokesman has reported that it is illegal to take, possess, or share indecent images of anyone under the age of 18 even if you are the person in the picture.
Victims of ‘revenge porn’ are being encouraged to call the police on 101 or the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0845 600 0459.
Further to this, here at Farleys Solicitors LLP we have a team of Specialist Solicitors who deal with Revenge Pornography cases and should you wish to discuss anything arising from this, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team.
