Pasadena divorce lawyers were pleased to see that Governor Jerry Brown has taken the bold step of criminalizing "revenge porn" in California. Last week, he signed bill SB 255 into law. This legislation makes it illegal to distribute nude images of another person with the intent of causing emotional distress to that person.
People found guilty of posting revenge porn images of their ex could be fined $1,000 and/or placed in jail for six months on the first offense. The law takes effect immediately, due to an urgency clause in the bill.
New Jersey is the only other state with anti-revenge porn laws on the books.
Revenge porn laws apply equally to both men and women, although the majority of cases involve a man distributing images of his nude female partner. Even in our modern society, women are still harshly judged for their sexuality. Women who have been victimized by revenge porn report feelings of shame and embarrassment, with some suffering from anxiety or panic attacks. Porn posted online that goes viral can also do irreparable harm to a person's professional reputation, creating damage for many years to come.
Revenge porn could be a concern in the event of a divorce because it is not uncommon for some couples to send explicit photos and/or videos to each other over the course of their marriage. When the marriage falls apart and tensions are running high, distributing these private images online is a tempting way to make an ex pay.
If you believe you have been a victim of a revenge porn attack, it's important to contact a qualified attorney immediately. Getting images removed becomes more difficult as time passes, but California's new law gives you a better chance of making your ex pay for betraying your trust.
How Can We Help?
Please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com if you are in need of legal representation during your divorce. Our Pasadena divorce attorneys can handle a variety of concerns, including issues related to child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and the division of martial assets and/or debts.