Pa. Bill Would Outlaw Harassment By Posting X-Rated Photos of Ex
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A bill that would outlaw so-called "revenge porn" has cleared its first hurdle in the Pennsylvania legislature.
The proposed law would make it a crime to expose sexually explicit images of an "intimate partner" to a third party for the intent of harassment.
State senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks County), a sponsor of the legislation, says a conviction would require proving that the person distributing the X-rated images intended to harass the victim. But she says such proof is usually straightforward, especially in an Internet posting.
"They post an individual's name, address; there may be defamatory language associated with it. You really understand that they are trying to hurt someone. And they can be very harmful. People can lose their job. It certainly harms relationships."
The state Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill after amending it to make sure provisions applying to minors are consistent with "sexting" legislation approved in 2012.
Saying the provisions of the measure that require intent to be proved are adequate, the ACLU is neutral on the bill.
