The number of revenge porn cases in Scotland has more than doubled in the past five years, according to the latest figures.
Police recorded 912 incidents in 2021, up from 421 in 2017/18, revealed an analysis by Scotland’s justice and social affairs magazine 1919.
In 2018, there were 407 reports, 585 in 2019, 674 in 2020 and 780 in the year up to March 2021, reported the BBC, citing the study.
Experts connect the increase in revenge porn cases to the excess use of smartphones and social media.
The revenge porn law was enacted by the Scottish government in 2017, As per the law, it is an offence to “disclose, or threaten to disclose, an intimate photograph or film” without consent. Convicts can face up to five years prison term and will be named on the sex offenders register.
Now, politicians and charities have urged the government to take strict action against offenders in the wake of these numbers.
Former Love Island contestants Zara McDermott and Laura Anderson have spoken about being victims of the revenge porn crime.
In 2016, a hacker stole private naked photos of 20 young women from Lanarkshire and posted them online on a public forum, which ultimately led to the creation of the law.
Rape Crisis Scotland spokeswoman Brenna Jessie, told the BBC: “Threatening to share someone’s personal or intimate images without their consent is violating, abusive and unacceptable.
“This rise in figures is concerning but perhaps even more so is the fact that there will be many more victim-survivors who have not reported what they have been through.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Jamie Greene said that tackling revenge porn should be the priority of the government.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government recognises the powerful role online platforms play in our lives, and have offered to work with the UK government to strengthen their Online Safety Bill to address harmful online content, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.”
The number of revenge porn cases in relation to all intimate image abuse increased by 40 per cent from 3,146 to 4,406 last year in the UK. The country already banned the sharing of explicit images without consent in 2015.
What Is Revenge Porn?
Break-ups can be difficult and often quite painful. But imagine that the person you loved and trusted for the duration of your relationship decided to take revenge on you for breaking it off. What does that look like? Well, there are a variety of ways that a scorned lover might express their resentment, but in today’s era of cyber-everything, revenge porn is becoming a tool of choice for many in their quest for vengeance.
Revenge porn has been defined by the government as “the sharing of private, sexual materials, either photos or videos, of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress.” Often there will be additional personal information included with the images or videos that are published. This combination can leave a person feeling vulnerable and could possibly put them in danger. At minimum, it is psychologically damaging to the victim.
So why do people do it?
The desire to “get back” at someone who has hurt you is not uncommon. Feeling hurt and betrayed can cause anger and urges to inflict the same type of pain on the person that has caused it. Controlling those urges can be difficult for some and revenge porn can offer what feels like the ultimate ability to hurt and embarrass someone.
Afroditi Pina, a senior lecturer in forensic psychology at Kent University, conducted a study on revenge porn and those who have committed it. She found that there were certain common traits associated with those who engaged in this type of behavior. They often exhibited a general lack of empathy for others and had few concerns about hurtful or questionable behavior in others.
The growing acceptance of porn in general — and the view by many that it is harmless — plays a part in revenge porn and even the opportunity for it to occur in the first place. Viewing porn on a regular basis has an influence on behavior. When it comes to the pain and feelings of betrayal that can be felt during a break-up, the desire to inflict pain on the person causing it by exposing them in an intimate and embarrassing way may seem more acceptable to those who make porn viewing a regular habit.
The acceptance of viewing sexual images, whether you are a man or woman, also makes it more likely that there is material that can be abused in this way. Because of the desensitization that porn causes, many consider things like sexting or videoing intimate moments an appropriate expression of affection or desire. This leads to a lack of understanding and connection to the real pain and damage that the publishing of such private moments can cause. Porn can also contribute to a lessening of empathy for others which could lead someone to see the actions of revenge porn as justified rather than wrong.
What Can You Do?
There is no easy answer to that. A good start, however, is to do your best to prevent revenge porn from ever being an option. While both men and women can be the victims of revenge porn, it is most often women who are the targets. Making a point to avoid being videoed or photographed in compromising situations would be the wisest choice for many reasons.
That, of course, does not account for those who would record or photograph you without your consent. If you find that intimate images of you have been recorded without your permission there are laws now that can help you. Recently actress Mischa Barton experienced this exact situation. Under California she was able to take action and secure a restraining order against the offender. According to Barton,
“This is a painful situation, and my absolute worst fear was realized when I learned that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments, without my consent, with hidden cameras. Then I learned something even worse: that someone is trying to sell these vides and make them public. I came forward to fight this not only for myself but for all the women out there.”
If you feel you have been the victim of revenge porn you should investigate your state’s laws regarding the procedures and penalties for punishing such behavior. Generally speaking, it is considered illegal and is punishable by law.
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