There seems to be a rather simple solution for revenge pornography. Don’t allow anyone to take intimate photographs or video of you. Problem solved. Mr. Wonderful could turn into Mr. Wrong real fast.
This simply cannot be rocket science. Why allow someone to capture your most intimate moments for perpetuity?
What does Virginia law say? According to the Huffington Post:
The House of Delegates voted Tuesday to outlaw so-called revenge porn.
A measure that passed 97-2 would make it illegal for anyone — with the intent to coerce, harass or intimidate — to maliciously disseminate or sell any video or still image depicting someone else nude, in a certain state of undress or engaged in sexual conduct when the person knows they are not authorized to do so.
Violations would be a Class 1 misdemeanor, subject to up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
That seems to be a rather anemic law–a year in jail and a $2500 fine for publically humiliating another human being. Where are the teeth? Virginia’s law also hasn’t gone into effect yet because it just passed last session. If someone really wants revenge, it seems like a rather small price to pay. Once that genie is out of the jar, it simply will not go back in.
This seems to be a crime mainly against women. Yes, I understand it could work both ways, but let’s think about it. What are some of the circumstances where it could damage a man? Crickets…….
A year in jail’s no picnic – that might be about right.
That would just be jail time. I think prison time is more appropriate. That is a heinous thing to do that violates another human being. You know, sort of like being visually raped by thousands of eyes at a time.
That is a conscious act. NO crime of passion there.
“I’m in here for rape”.
“I’m in here for murder”.
“I’m in here because my girlfriend left me, so I posted our sex tape online. How’s it going guys?”
“Thanks for coming in today, Mr. Johnson. Now, looki8ng over your resume, I see a gap of a year here … what were you – ah, I see on our personnel form. You did some time in jail for posting “Revenge porn”. Well, thanks for coming in Mr. Johnson, we’ll let you know shortly whether we’re going to hire you”.
You can bury a year on a resume. 10 years for being in prison, not so much. You would be better off saying you were in manslaughter rather than having to admit you posted revenge porn. That just sings out “nasty little prick” like nothing else.
A true Forrest Gump moment-Stupid is as stupid does.