HAMILTON, Bermuda Mar 4, CMC – The Bermuda government has warned citizens against the unauthorised sharing of intimate images reminding people that legislation had been amended to combat the distressing issue commonly known as “revenge porn”.
The Ministry of Justice in a statement said that the Criminal Code Amendment (Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images) Act 2021, criminalises the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, aiming to protect individuals’ privacy and dignity.
“The unauthorised sharing of intimate images is a severe violation of personal privacy and can inflict profound emotional trauma. The legislation is designed to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for victims,” said Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilkerson.
The Act addresses various offences, including observing or recording individuals in private settings without consent and distributing intimate images without permission. Penalties for such offences include imprisonment for up to three years on summary conviction and up to five years on indictment.
“Further, I urge anyone who receives such images to delete them immediately and under no circumstances forward such images,” Wilkerson added.
The government said that the reminder is part of its ongoing efforts to educate and protect the public regarding the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
It said given the occurrence of such incidents within our community, it is imperative to reinforce awareness about the existing legislation and its implications.
”Globally, the non-consensual distribution of intimate images has become a pervasive issue exacerbated by technological advancements and the proliferation of social media platforms.”
The government said that victims often experience significant psychological distress and reputational damage and, in severe cases, have contemplated self-harm. The rapid dissemination of such content online makes containment exceedingly difficult, underscoring the importance of preventive measures and robust legal frameworks.
“The global rise of this malicious behaviour highlights the necessity for comprehensive laws and public awareness. We must remain vigilant and work together to prevent the spread of non-consensual intimate images,” said Wilkerson.
She said that “some may think that sharing intimate images of another person is harmless or done as a joke, but let me be clear, this is a criminal offence.
“Anyone caught distributing such images without consent could face prosecution and serious legal consequences,” she warned.
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