Sending intimate images, or even threatening to do so, on mobile phones or online can now land someone in jail or attract hefty fines in South Australia.
New offences have been created, which state Attorney-General John Rau said would give police and prosecutors more flexible options.
“Revenge porn has become a worrying issue in the community,” he said.
“These changes strengthen the criminal law, creating a major deterrent and strong penalties to curtail this phenomenon.” Sending, or threatening to send, an indecent or invasive image of anyone under 17 can attract a jail sentence of up to two years or a $10,000 fine, and possibly more in domestic violence cases.
Threats against an adult now have a maximum penalty of one year in jail or a $5,000 fine.
South Australian Law Society president David Caruso said it was a welcome response to rapidly changing technology and ways people were using their devices, such as mobile phones, and social media.
“It is important that not only the actual distribution of intimate and invasive images of people is a criminal offence, but that threatening to do so can also have the capacity to be a criminal offence,” he said.
“Often the threat to someone that intimate and invasive photos of them will be published to the whole world creates grave concern for them and can result in quite serious and tragic consequences.” Mr Rau said education would continue to have an important role too.
“Educating young people about the risks of sharing an explicit selfie is the first step in defusing the problem,” he said.
“But the law has a crucial role in setting the boundaries of acceptable behaviour.”
Online Source: ABC.net.au.
