Guidelines for ‘revenge porn’ offenders have been issued to courts for the first time, with those that repeatedly re-post explicit material now facing the toughest sentences.
Publishing private sexual imagery, known as ‘revenge porn’, was made an offense in the UK in 2015, but up until now the Sentencing Council for England and Wales hasn’t had a clear set of instructions for dealing with offenders.
The guidelines published today, which come into force on 1 October, stress that the harshest sentences should be reserved for those that repeatedly post material after it has been taken offline, and those that set up fake social media accounts to humiliate their ex-partners.
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In 2016/2017, 465 people were prosecuted for ‘revenge porn’ offenses in England and Wales, which carries a maximum sentence of two years. Under the new guidelines, cases that show “significant planning” and are intended to maximise the distress of their victims will be judged most seriously.
The guidelines also cover cases that involve stalking and harassment. Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship was made an offence in 2015, and can carry up to five years in jail. The new sentencing instructions advise that behaviour resulting in debt or homelessness can be treated as an aggravating factor in these cases.
“Our guidelines recognise and reflect the very intimate, personal and intrusive nature of these offences, which can have devastating, often long-term impacts on victims and their families,” said Sentencing Council member Judge Rosa Dean. “They will provide courts with comprehensive guidance that will help ensure sentences reflect the seriousness of these offences.”
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Justice Minister Rory Stewart said that these crimes “can have a devastating and deeply traumatising effect on victims”.
“These new guidelines will ensure that our courts recognise the serious harm caused to victims, and that perpetrators are properly punished.”
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