A leading barrister has advocated for changing the term ‘revenge porn’ to combat victim stigma.
- The existing term suggests victims are to blame, implying they deserve this non-consensual exposure.
- Grace Gwynne highlights that the term ‘porn’ incorrectly implies mutual consent in production.
- Proposed alternatives such as ‘image-based abuse’ more accurately describe the offence.
- Statistics reveal a growing number of cases, underscoring the need for legislative updates.
Grace Gwynne, a barrister specialising in family and personal injury law, has called for a reevaluation of the very terminology used to describe the crime often referred to as ‘revenge porn’. Her appeal seeks not only to address the mischaracterisation inherent in this term but also to alleviate the stigma that many victims face. Gwynne articulates that this particular crime is unique in the United Kingdom in that its name includes a motive—revenge—implying that victims might somehow deserve the violation of having their private images publicly disseminated without their consent. This terminology not only misleads the public but also perpetuates an undeserved cycle of blame upon victims.
Furthermore, Gwynne argues that the usage of the word ‘porn’ suggests a level of complicity or consent that simply isn’t present, particularly in situations where victims were unaware they were being filmed. This misuse of language can be detrimental to victims, further misleading the public’s understanding of the crime. Alternatives such as ‘image-based abuse’ or ‘online abuse’ more accurately encapsulate the nature of these offences without inferring victim culpability.
The barrister points to a significant discrepancy between the number of reported incidents and prosecutions. Between April 2020 and June 2022, 1,048 image-based abuse offences were charged across 825 cases, yet between 2018 and 2021, a staggering 18,700 incidents were logged by police. This disparity indicates a critical need for more robust legal frameworks and societal understanding. Since becoming illegal under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, efforts to legally reprimand these offences have increased, but the outcomes often involve only minor penalties, such as community service or fines.
Gwynne’s advocacy includes urging the legal profession and the public alike to transition to terminology that more accurately reflects the nature of the offences. No victim should feel at fault through the language that is intended to protect them. The proposed shift to terms like ‘image-based abuse’ aims to foster a more supportive environment for victims seeking justice.
By adopting more accurate terms, the legal system can better support victims and dismantle harmful stereotypes.
