Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Amend revenge porn law: include distress and embarrassment regardless of intent

Closed 1,775 signatures

What the petition asks

Currently, only those that intend their victim to be distressed can be prosecuted. This excludes those that act for sexual gratification, financial gain, or to humiliate the victim (or those who are indifferent). Distress and embarrassment regardless of intent must be included to fill this gap.
The current legislation fails to protect those who have their intimate images shared without consent or knowledge because the intention was sexual and depraved as opposed to malice towards the individual. The criteria of the offence is half complete as consent is distinct but intentions are ambiguous. My private images were shared without consent during a seemingly trusting relationship. These were posted on indecent and pornographic websites to satisfy his sexual desire to degrade me online.

Timeline

7 Oct 2020 Petition opened for signatures
7 Apr 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 1,775
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 7 Oct 2020
Closed 7 Apr 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.