Specialist Revenge Porn Lawyers

First and foremost, revenge porn is a serious offence that involves the distribution of private sexual images or videos without the consent of the individual(s) involved. It is a violation of privacy and can have devastating consequences for victims, including emotional distress, humiliation, and reputational damage.

At our law firm, we have an experienced team of solicitors who are dedicated to providing expert legal guidance and support to clients who have been affected by revenge porn. We understand the complexity and sensitivity of these cases, and we are committed to fighting for our client's rights and protecting their privacy.

Our team takes a personalised approach to ensure that our client's needs and concerns are met. We offer a range of services that are tailored to the specific circumstances of each particular case.

What is Revenge Porn?

Revenge porn is the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit images or videos of an individual. This can include nude photos, intimate videos, or other sexually suggestive content that was created in the context of a consensual relationship or obtained through other means without the person's consent.

The purpose of revenge porn is often to humiliate, embarrass, or shame the victim, and can cause significant emotional distress and damage to the person's reputation and personal life. Revenge porn is a form of sexual harassment and abuse and is considered a violation of a person's privacy and autonomy.

Revenge porn is illegal in many countries, including the UK, and victims have legal rights and can take legal action against the perpetrator. It's important to remember that sharing intimate material without someone's consent is never acceptable and can have serious consequences for the victim.

What to do if you are a victim of revenge porn?

If you are a victim of revenge porn or image-based abuse, it's important to take immediate action to protect yourself and seek help. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Document everything: Save any messages, emails, or other communications related to the abuse, and take screenshots of any images or videos.
2. Take Immediate legal advice so you are aware of all your options to stop and prevent any further online abuse of your images
3. Reach out to a support service that specialises in helping victims of revenge porn or image-based abuse.
4. We can help you get any images online of you removed from Websites, Social Media or other platforms.
5. Consider contacting the police depending on the severity of the situation to report the abuse.
6. As a legal firm we can interdict any individual or media platform to remove offending images by obtaining a court order.
7. Take care of yourself: Being a victim of revenge porn or image-based abuse can be highly traumatic. Taking care of yourself and seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist is important.

Remember that you are not alone, and resources are available to help you.

What is the law on revenge porn in Scotland?

In Scotland, the law on revenge porn or image-based abuse is covered by the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.

Under this law, it is a criminal offence to share intimate images of someone without their consent, with the intention of causing harm, distress or embarrassment. It is also an offence to threaten to share intimate images of someone with the same intention.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine. The law applies to images shared online or offline and to both adults and children.

It's worth noting that in Scotland, the law also allows victims of image-based abuse to seek a protective order, known as an "interdict", to prevent the sharing of intimate images without their consent. This can be obtained through the civil courts and can provide a legal remedy for victims who do not want to pursue criminal charges.

If you are a victim of revenge porn or image-based abuse in Scotland, you should contact us in the first instance so you are aware of all your options to get the abuse to stop.

What type of photos and videos are covered by the act and count as a private sexual image?

The Act defines a private sexual image as any photo or video that depicts an individual engaging in a private sexual act or reveals certain intimate body parts, such as the breasts, buttocks, or genitals. Private sexual acts generally refer to activities intended to be conducted away from public view, such as sexual activity or intimate physical contact. Images may also be considered private if they reveal an individual’s nudity or semi-nudity in a way that would be considered sexual.

The legislation aims to protect individuals’ privacy in these contexts, focusing on intimate content not intended for public dissemination.

What is normally not included in the act?

The Act generally does not cover images or videos that are typically seen in public settings or that depict individuals in commonly worn clothing, even if somewhat revealing. This includes images like those of individuals in bikinis, swimwear, or even topless sunbathing in designated areas, as these are usually considered part of everyday public life rather than intimate or private.

Additionally, casual photographs taken in social or public contexts—such as at a beach, pool, or party—are typically excluded from the Act, provided they don’t involve explicit sexual conduct or nudity intended to be private. The Act is designed to protect against breaches of privacy involving intimate and sexual content shared without consent, focusing on images or videos that go beyond what would be reasonably encountered in ordinary public or social settings.

Is Synthetic Sexual content also known as deep fakes covered by the act?

Yes, in Scotland, synthetic sexual content—commonly referred to as "deep fakes"—is increasingly recognised under legal frameworks as a form of intimate image abuse. In Scotland, for instance, any image or video that has been created, manipulated, or edited to falsely represent someone in a sexual context is recognised as a private sexual image, even if it is not genuinely of that individual. Such synthetic images or videos are legally treated as intimate content, and the unauthorised creation or distribution of these is considered an offence.

This is part of a broader movement to address the misuse of technology in creating non-consensual synthetic images that can severely impact an individual’s privacy, dignity, and reputation. Laws are evolving to include these offences as they mirror the harm caused by sharing real intimate images without consent, recognising the psychological and reputational damage that can occur regardless of the image's authenticity.

What Can We Do?

Our solicitors have extensive experience in dealing with cases of revenge porn, and we understand that these cases can have a devastating emotional toll on our clients. We are committed to helping you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Here is how we can help:

Remove the material from the Internet: We will work tirelessly to have private, sexual material removed from the Internet. This involves sending cease and desist letters to the individuals and websites hosting the content, contacting internet service providers, and taking legal action if necessary.

Pursue criminal charges against the perpetrator: If someone has shared your private, sexual material without your consent, they may have committed a criminal offence. We can assist you in reporting the incident to the police and pursuing criminal charges against the perpetrator.

Seek compensation for any damages suffered: Revenge porn can cause significant emotional distress, damage to reputation, and other forms of harm. We can help you seek compensation for any damages suffered, including emotional distress, loss of earnings, and other related costs.

Provide emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process: We understand the emotional toll that a revenge porn case can have on our clients. That is why we provide emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process. Our team of experienced solicitors will be there for you every step of the way, providing you with the support and guidance you need to get through this difficult time.