Prosecutors Urged to Act Against Revenge Porn Abusers

Prosecutors in England and Wales are being urged to do more to ensure that offenders convicted of sharing intimate images without consent—commonly referred to as "revenge porn"—are stripped of any remaining access to those images. Legal experts and campaigners have warned that victims often continue to suffer long after a conviction if abusers retain copies of the material.

Under current laws, perpetrators can be prosecuted under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, which criminalises the sharing of private sexual images without consent. However, legal professionals argue that courts rarely order the destruction or removal of such material, leaving victims vulnerable to further harm.

Baroness Morgan, the former culture secretary, emphasised the need for a stronger approach, saying: "It is unacceptable that abusers can still hold onto intimate images of their victims even after conviction. More must be done to protect survivors." She called on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and courts to use existing powers to ensure that offenders do not retain these images.

Her concern was echoed by Dame Vera Baird, a former victims’ commissioner, who described the current situation as "a glaring oversight that prolongs victims’ trauma." She urged the CPS to make the deletion of images a standard part of sentencing.

In response, the CPS stated that it takes revenge porn cases seriously and supports victims throughout the legal process. A spokesperson said: "Where possible, we will seek the removal of images to prevent further harm." However, legal experts argue that explicit orders for image destruction or deletion should be included in sentencing more consistently.

Campaigners also point to technological challenges. While courts can order the removal of content from specific websites, ensuring the permanent deletion of images stored on private devices or cloud services remains difficult. Some legal professionals suggest that offenders should be required to provide evidence that all copies have been deleted.

Victims' rights groups continue to push for reforms that guarantee better protection for those affected. They argue that failure to address this issue allows convicted offenders to maintain control over their victims, prolonging psychological distress.

The debate highlights the need for a more robust legal response to revenge porn, ensuring that justice extends beyond conviction to fully protect victims from ongoing harm.