Rep. Jenny Armini Praises 'Revenge Porn' Bill Passage In House

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The passage of a so-called "revenge porn" bill that increases penalties for the nonconsensual distribution of sexually explicit images and changes the punitive process for those engaged in teen sexting passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday with the backing of State Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead).

Armini said the bill gives victims a defense against a technology she said can be used as a "cruel weapon of power and control" while providing teens accused of "sexting" images of those of similar age an alternative educational path than to be listed as sex offenders for transmitting sexual images of minors.

"Today, the House gave victims of revenge porn a way to fight back," Armini, who also represents Swampscott and parts of Lynn, said in a statement provided to Patch. "And we created an educational path forward for teens who share explicit images of themselves and others."

The bill passed the House unanimously and builds on a bill passed last session that did not leave enough time to be reconciled with a similar Senate bill before the session expired.

Massachusetts is one of only two states in the country — along with South Carolina — without a clearly enforceable "revenge porn" statute.

The bill also expands the definition of abuse to include "coercive control" for the purposes of obtaining a restraining order and extends the statute of limitations for some domestic violence offenses from six to 15 years.

Currently, minors who possess, purchase or share explicit photos of themselves or other minors are charged under Massachusetts child pornography laws and must register as sex offenders. The bill would allow minors to be diverted into an education program in lieu of criminal punishment but still allow prosecutors to seek criminal charges in extreme cases.

The "revenge porn" changes establish a penalty in the existing criminal harassment statute, including up to 2 1/2 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A victim may also petition the court for a "harassment prevention order" against a person who has violated this statute.

The addition of "coercive control" to the definition of abuse includes a nonphysical form of abuse that intends to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, control, coerce or compel compliance of a family or household member.

Examples of coercive control include threatening to share explicit images, regulating or monitoring a family or household member's communications and access to services, or isolating a family or household member from friends or relatives.

"The voices of victims have been heard," Armini said. "The system fails many because it focuses on physical abuse, rather than on intimidation, isolation, harassment, threats, and other destructive behaviors."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)