By Gina Martinez
City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) stood on City Hall steps pushing to make revenge porn illegal.
Lancman was joined by Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan) ahead of the Public Safety Committee hearing last week to advocate making the use of revenge porn a crime, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.
Revenge porn is a 21st century form of sexual assault used to embarrass or humiliate victims online. The councilman said despite the serious consequences victims face there is no law on the books in New York state or New York City to protect New Yorkers or hold perpetrators accountable.
“Distributing intimate images or videos of another person on the Internet without consent is an appalling breach of privacy that can have devastating consequences for victims,” Lancman said. “It is critically important for the laws in New York City to catch up with our technology to provide protections for New Yorkers from such abuse. Criminalizing revenge porn will ensure perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions, and that victims can receive justice they deserve.”
The legislation was introduced by Lancman and Garodnick last year, based on Assemblyman Edward Braunstein’s (D-Flushing) state bill to also make revenge porn a misdemeanor offense in New York City, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.
“Revenge porn is a vile tactic of bullies and domestic abusers, who deliberately cause harm by releasing intimate images or videos of their victims,” Garodnick said. “With a click of a mouse, careers are put in jeopardy, relationships are damaged, and online harassment becomes a daily battle. We must bring our laws into the 21st century and take a stand against this despicable violation of privacy. With this legislation, we are sending a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable and criminal in the city of New York.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
