Clear and effective laws against “revenge porn” are necessary to protect the values of privacy, autonomy, and equality. The unauthorized disclosure of private, sexually explicit images harms not only individuals but society as a whole. The wave of legislative reform since 2013 is a welcome development, but the majority of state criminal laws mischaracterize the social harm as harassment rather than a privacy violation. State and federal laws that accurately articulate the social harm of nonconsensual pornography are necessary for deterrence as well as to provide just and effective remedies for victims. While non-criminal remedies are also important and necessary, the immediate and often irreparable nature of the harm of “revenge porn” requires the maximum deterrence potential and moral force of criminal law.

"Revenge porn" laws are necessary to protect privacy, autonomy, and equality, and provide just remedies for victims.

The Crime of “Revenge Porn”