Revenge Porn: Beware of Sending Sexy Selfies

It is the fear of many young people in this digital age: intimate photos shared between partners later form the basis of criminal charges. The sharing of intimate images, or so-called “revenge porn,” is a crime under Pennsylvania law. Students who are accused of revenge porn often face suspension or expulsion from college as well as criminal prosecution.

If you or a loved one has found themselves charged with “revenge porn” under Pennsylvania law, call the LLF Law Firm. We can represent you in both criminal and misconduct or Title IX proceedings at your college or university. Let the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team fight for you; call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.

What Is Revenge Porn?

Unlike many states, PA has a law criminalizing so-called “revenge porn.” The Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Images Act prohibits the sharing of private images with the intent to harass or harm the person depicted. To constitute a revenge porn violation, the following requirements must be met.

• The image or picture shared must depict a person who is nude or performing a sexual act.
• The image must have been shared (sent or posted) by a current or former sexual or intimate partner.
• The sharing of the image must have been without the consent of the person.
• Finally, the person who shared the image must have shared it with the intent to harm or harass the person depicted in the image. This intent is critical—unless the person is found to have malicious intent, they cannot be convicted under the PA revenge porn statute.

Under PA law, all four of these requirements must be met to constitute revenge porn.

What Sorts of Acts Constitute Revenge Porn Under PA Law?

The following are examples of situations and whether they meet the requirements of the statute:

• Two college students, A and C, have been dating for several months, and A shares a video depicting A engaged in a sexual act while partially unclothed. After they break up, C posts the video because he is angry with A and wishes to cause her distress. This scenario likely meets the statute’s requirements.
• D and E have been dating for a year. D sends E nude photos while they are apart during summer break. They argue, and E posts photos online to get even. This conduct by E of publicly posting the photos likely meets the statute’s requirements, although D and E are current intimate partners.
• F and G have been in a casual relationship during which F shared nudes with G. G showed the photos to a buddy because he wanted to boast about getting the photos. Because G did not publicly disseminate the photos and did not intend harm to F, this scenario likely does not constitute revenge porn under the PA statute.

If you or a loved one is accused of a violation of the PA “revenge porn” statute, call the LLF Law Firm. The LLF Law Firm can represent students in both criminal proceedings and school misconduct proceedings simultaneously. Don’t let accusations of revenge porn destroy your life. Let the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team fight for you. Call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.