Indian Law Against Revenge Porn – Long Overdue

Well, power in the hands of many also comes with a price. And one of the nasty sides of this technology is the misuse of privacy. The tons of amateur explicit private videos hosted on public porn sites like Xvideos or Xhamster or shared on Whatsapp groups is beyond anyone’s grasp. It also makes me think, of downside of sharing such private videos.

Most of the pics or videos on public sites are private video mostly taken by men who had earned their trust. In most cases it would be boyfriends, or people who are having consensual sex. In few cases it would be their husbands who records their act for the sake of seeing it on a later date.

In most cases only the girls face is seen, while the other is taking video or keeps the phone without the knowledge of other person. There are also many videso where it’s seen the the girl is trying to cover her face with dress or hands. But the person taking the video persuades her to show her face and in some cases, they pull the girl’s hand to reveal her identity.

In some videos it’s evident that it’s posted on such sites to shame the girl or to intentionally malign  the character of individual, mostly women.There are many videos where the person shooting the video of a girl is forcing her to show her face on the video. It’s definitely taken with the intention to put the video on the net or to blackmail her.

Just imagine how a person would feel when she know that everyone can see her naked body? Imagine how such a video can tarnish the image of person, cause such an embarrassment to them, and in many cases families will disown them when they come to know about such a video.Cine Actress a Victim of Revenge Porn Pleads for Help

I came across the video clip on YouTube where a Malayalam actress Ajina Menon breaks down after a private naked video of hers gets circulated in video sites and Whatsapp groups. Anyone, in her shoes would have been devastated with such slandering.

She is just one of the many private videos of girls which is circulated without her permission. How do they cope with such slandering videos? |
Is there a counselling for victims?

Aftermath of Such Videos 
In most cases, I bet their friends or relatives would shun them. Where will they get help? Who will provide support? What if they take any extreme steps such as the thoughts of taking their life. Is there any society support in the form of helpline or police cell which can deal with such issues? Will the perpetrators and mischief makers be liable?

Despite the rise of such incidents, I don’t come across any report or newspaper report of any conviction. In most cases victims are in a state of shock – not knowing what they can do it to stop it or what action they can take. Going to police station or cyber cell is often the last resort. But, most victims tend to keep the ordeal with themselves. Some of them would be resigned to a feeling of helplessness as the video once out in cyber space is virtually unstoppable. The clip goes like a viral spread – from one site to another, one mobile to many.

What Could be a Deterrent 

I feel, it’s time to send a strong message – that anyone found sharing private videos will have to pay a big price. A warning of a strong nature, should be in the form of Police Case, jail confinement, fine and public shaming too.

1. Create a buzz that such perpetrators will be arrested in 24 hrs

2. Jail the mischief maker ( This will be a deterrent )

3. Immediate dismissal from job ( Public or Private sector)

4. Financial compensation to the victim ( Minimum 5 lakh)
5. Create a site where perpetrators of such acts will be listed on the site.

Well, when I googled I found more information related to revenge porn and few instances of how culprits are booked for sharing private videos.What is Revenge Porn?

Say Big NO When it comes to taking private video – Educating this to Teens ( Schools and Colleges)

What’s being done in other countries against revenge porn?

Civil penalties charged against violators