Understanding and Combatting Revenge Pornography

Revenge pornography refers to the act of circulating private, sexually explicit images and videos of an individual online without their consent. Typically, these private sexual acts, recorded by an intimate partner, are used to intimidate, humiliate, blackmail, coerce, or punish the victim as an act of revenge on public platforms.

Why Should We Be Concerned?

Revenge porn inflicts severe damage on the victim's social image and reputation. Victims often face humiliating, degrading remarks and relentless trolling, leading to emotional, mental, and psychological trauma that can scar them for life.

Warning Signs

Being aware of the warning signs can help you recognize and address potential threats:

• Receiving indecent remarks or comments from group members or colleagues.
• Indecent comments from friends or acquaintances.
• Threats from an ex-partner demanding sexual or monetary favors.
• Having a failed intimate relationship in the past.

Safeguarding Yourself Against Revenge Pornography

Understanding the potential dangers and taking proactive steps can help protect you from becoming a victim:

• Set Limits: Be cautious about your online and offline relationships, and avoid sharing intimate content.
• Think Before Sharing: Remember that anything shared online can remain in cyberspace indefinitely and be misused.
• Be Cautious with Intimate Content: Avoid sharing or taking intimate pictures or videos, as relationships can turn sour.
• Reject Pressure: Do not maintain relationships with anyone who pressures you to share personal, intimate content.
• Respect Trust: Never forward intimate images or videos; it's a violation of trust and can constitute a serious crime.

Taking Action If Affected

If you become a victim of revenge pornography, take immediate action:

1. Online Complaint: Register a complaint anonymously at cybercrime.gov.in.
2. Police Complaint: Visit the nearest cybercrime police station to file a report.

Legal Provisions Against Revenge Pornography

Indian law provides various sections under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act to prosecute offenders, although these laws do not fully encompass the nuances of revenge porn. Relevant provisions include:

Under IPC:

• Section 292: Distribution or circulation of obscene material.
• Section 354C: Capturing or disseminating images of a woman engaged in a private act without her consent.
• Section 499: Actions intended to harm or likely to harm an individual’s reputation or character.
• Section 509: Acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Under IT Act:

• Section 66E: Violation of privacy by publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
• Section 67: Publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts in electronic form.
• Section 67A: Publishing electronic material containing sexually explicit acts.
• Section 72: Breach of confidentiality and privacy.

Additional Legal Provisions: Sections 4 and 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, prevent the publication of photographs containing indecent representations of women. Other statutes may also apply depending on the specifics of each case.