The last two years have seen increasing leak of seks videos and private photos in Ghana, mostly of women by the ex-partners of these women without the men being legally punished or held accountable.
In fact, it is legally complicated to want to sue or find a seks video/photo leaker liable—especially when the videos or photos were taken under consent. Easily, the person suspected of leaking the material could say, ‘I lost my phone’ and that led to the leak.
But the law is developing fast around the world in relation to this form of new crime against women.
And for the first time in the UK, a 21-year-old man has been jailed for ‘revenge p*rn’ after he posted a naked picture of his ex-girlfriend on WhatsApp.
“Luke King uploaded the image, along with ‘abusive and offensive remarks’, to the online messaging service in August after the victim ended their three-year relationship” reports MailOnline.
The woman, who has not been named for legal reasons, first alerted police after he threatened to post the explicit photographs online, the court heard. She said that she has been left ‘disgusted’ and ‘really upset’ after by his actions.
This may have taken place in the UK but the case will go a long way to serve as a persuasive precedent in other jurisdictions, including Ghana.
Obviously, when a person is found criminally liable for such an action, the victim can proceed to sue again under civil law for damages—for causing emotional distress among others…
Luke King was jailed for 12 weeks at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court and he was given a restraining order which bans him from contacting the woman for two years – including over the internet.
This sentence comes just weeks after the UK Government published tough new guidelines on ‘revenge p*rn’.
Peter Shergill, district crown prosecutor at the CPS East Midlands had this to say; ‘This kind of malicious use of intimate material online is a vindictive crime that leaves victims humiliated and devastated.
‘Prosecutors are now following guidance issued in October this year that clarifies how we can use existing legislation to prosecute perpetrators of these intrusive offences.
‘In this instance, because Luke King had threatened his victim and posted multiple pictures of her on social media, a charge of harassment was brought’.
The increase in such behaviour of both young and old men all around the world has called for tougher punishment and robust measures to be put in place, to serve as a deterrent to others…
Soon, the defence of ‘I lost my phone’ will have no legs—and Ghanaian legislators must take keen interest in helping end this new social media crime as the UK is doing…
good for nothing idiot ,serves him right
I guess we know where the Croydon murderer got his ideas from. Akosua Abebrese how is the crow filled humble pie? I hope you have enough to last you weeks. Send some to the no clue Ghanaman called Jay.