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Threatening to share intimate images could be made unlawful under new proposals

THREATENING to share intimate images without consent could be made unlawful under new proposals. 

Existing laws do not offer adequate protections for victims of predatory behaviour and reform is “clearly needed,” criminal law commissioner Penney Lewis has said. 

Greater protections are being considered by the Law Commission,  the body responsible for reviewing legislation, including criminalising threats to share intimate images. 

The commission is also looking at expanding existing laws which cover upskirting to include downblousing and sharing “deep fakes,” manipulated images to depict acts the person may not have carried out. 

The proposals will be published today. 

Responding to the proposals, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ victims’ co-lead Julia Mulligan said: “Changing the law will mean the system no longer causes pain and distress to those who it should be protecting. 

“It will support victims not stigmatise them, is long overdue and now needs to happen as soon as possible.”

One in 14 adults in England and Wales have experienced threats to share intimate images or videos, according to a survey by charity Refuge. 

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