Dade State Attorney Applauds Passage Of Revenge Porn Bill
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A bill headed to the Governor Rick Scott's desk, which makes it illegal to post sexually explicit photos or videos of ex-partners on websites without their permission, has been given a big thumbs up by Miami-Dade's State Attorney.
"This significant legislation will strengthen our ability to prosecute the heinous crime that is revenge porn. I am very appreciative of the wonderful collaboration with our stakeholders and legislators, particularly former prosecutor and now State Representative Carlos Trujillo and the efforts of Senator David Simmons and State Representative Tom Goodson who co-sponsored this important bill," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle in a statement.
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Earlier this week, the Senate accepted a weaker version of the bill they originally passed because the House changed it and then ended their session three days early. The original bill would have applied to any electronic dissemination, such as email.
The measure (SB 538) takes aim at people who get back at exes by posting images they took during better times and were meant to remain private.
A first offense would be a first-degree misdemeanor. A second violation would be a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Florida could become the 18th state in the nation to outlaw revenge porn. Though the bill is close to becoming law, it's not as strong as advocates had initially hoped.
One aspect of the Florida revenge porn bill that is not addressed are messages sent by email and text. Meaning someone could send inappropriate pictures or videos of you to your boss, your coworkers, even your mother, without fear of prosecution.
The bill also only defines the act as sexual cyber harassment if the victim's name or other identifying information is used.
Still, Fernandez Rundle believes this new legislation will help take down those who harass, intimidate, and hurt others using personal, sexual images.
"It's a new day for victims who've suffered this retaliatory violence really…You always really hope for something bigger, better, stronger but we can work with this (bill). And it gives us a lot of tools we didn't have before."
To learn more about the fight against revenge porn, including help for victims click on the following links:
http://www.endrevengeporn.org/
http://www.cybercivilrights.org/
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