Labour has proposed plans to impose a two-year jail sentence on predators who capture intimate images of unsuspecting victims or set up cameras for such purposes.
Additionally, a new law will be established to address the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images.
While sharing intimate images without consent is already illegal, taking such images without permission will now also carry a penalty of up to two years in custody.
Individuals who install devices to capture intimate images without consent will face similar consequences under the proposed legislation.
The government’s initiative has been cautiously welcomed by feminist organizations like End Violence Against Women (EVAW), although they are urging for a clear timeline for the implementation of these laws.
Rebecca Hitchen from EVAW emphasized the importance of prompt action to protect survivors from harm caused by online abuse and exploitation.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones condemned online abuse as unacceptable and emphasized the need to prevent its normalization, especially considering that one in three women have experienced such mistreatment.
The upcoming crime and policing bill is expected to include these new offences, which aim to address issues related to voyeurism and unauthorized image capturing. Existing laws will be repealed and replaced with more comprehensive regulations targeting various forms of digital harassment and exploitation.
Jess Davies, a TV presenter and activist who was victimized by her ex-partner through non-consensual image sharing, expressed support for these legal changes. She highlighted the urgent need to combat intimate-image abuse as it poses serious risks and consequences for women’s safety and autonomy in digital spaces. Davies stressed that women should not tolerate or normalize online harassment or abuse as part of their daily lives.
2025-01-06 19:01:47
Original article available at www.theguardian.com