'Revenge Porn' Now a Felony in NH

CONCORD, NH - A new law increasing penalties against individuals that share sexual images and videos of people without expressed permission of those involved, so-called “revenge porn,” has been signed into law by Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter.

SB 465 – an act relative to the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images – changes the designation of the act of purposely sharing, with the intent to harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the depicted person, from a misdemeanor to a felony. Liabilities will also not be imposed on companies such as Internet and cellphone providers used by the perpetrators but the property of the perpetrator could be subject to forfeiture.

The act of revenge porn has been on the rise during the last two years, from individuals targeting former lovers and life-mates, to even some sports stars. New Hampshire though is not alone in taking action: States like California began approving new laws last year.

According to experts, 90 percent of cyber exploitation and revenge porn victims are women, and most of the crimes are perpetrated through social media sites, online forums, blogs, texting, and email.

The law was approved by both the House and state Senate earlier this year, and Hassan signed it into law on May 19, 2016.

“In an increasingly technological world, there are new threats to the privacy and security of our citizens, including the dissemination of private sexual images without consent, a practice that is harmful and immoral,” she noted in a statement. “By making it a felony to disseminate private sexual images of another individual without their consent, Senate Bill 465 is a common-sense step forward in our efforts to protect and maintain the privacy of Granite Staters, and I am glad to sign this bipartisan bill into law.”

State Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, one of the state Senate sponsors, said that she hoped that the increased penalties would “protect individual privacy and deter the improper distribution of any private images.”

Another state Senate sponsor, state Sen. Jeff Woodburn, D-Dalton, noted that revenge porn crimes had been on the rise and the swift action by both side of the aisle, in both houses, would “protect victims of this crime.”

The law takes effect in late July.