Anyone who transmits or shares sexually suggestive pictures without consent from those involved in the act can face criminal charges under Minnesota’s new revenge porn law.
The bill reads that it is unlawful for any person to:
(1) disseminate private sexual images of another without consent; or
(2) solicit sex on behalf of another person without consent.
The bill received overwhelming support as it worked its way towards the governor’s desk. It passed the Senate by a vote of 62-3, and it received unanimous support in the House, passing with a vote of 128-0. This means any revenge videos uploaded to sites such as watchmygf adult can now be subject to infringing the person’s consensual rights and possibly be removed. Just as it should be.
Revenge Porn Penalties
Any person who unlawfully disseminates private sexual images or who solicits sex on behalf of another person without consent can face gross misdemeanor charges, which is punishable by up to one year in jail, up to $3,000 in fines, or both.
So if a couple breaks up and one side puts up their raunchy videos on twinki.xxx, they will be in legal trouble on multiple fronts. Best to instead get consent if you want to put such things online.
Additionally, the bill states that charges could be upgraded if aggravating factors are present. Aggravating factors include:
- If the victim suffers financial loss because of the dissemination
- If the perp spreads the image for profit or the intent to harass
- If the image is posted online
- If the image is obtained through theft
- If the person has a previous conviction for revenge pron on their record
If aggravating factors are present, a person can be charged with a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Additionally, the court can award damages for financial losses and other damages as a direct result of the distribution of the image. This amount can be equal to the amount of profits made off the dissemination, and it can also include court costs, fees, and “reasonable attorney’s fees.” Lastly, the court can also award civil penalties for the victim up to $10,000.
To see the full text of the law, click here. The bill is set to go into law on August 1, 2016.
