South Carolina Moves to Criminalize Revenge Porn

News Summary

South Carolina is set to enact legislation criminalizing the distribution of intimate images without consent, becoming the last state in the U.S. to do so. The proposed bills, primarily sponsored by Rep. Chris Wooten, aim to address serious privacy concerns and establish penalties for offenders. With bipartisan support, the legislation also seeks to clarify the distinction between consent for creation and distribution of intimate images, reflecting a broader recognition of the psychological harm caused to victims. As the bills advance, they represent a significant step towards protecting victims and enhancing personal privacy rights in the state.

South Carolina is on the brink of enacting legislation to criminalize the distribution of intimate images without consent, commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” As of now, it stands as the only state in the U.S. without legal measures against this practice, which has raised significant concerns regarding victim safety and privacy. The proposed bills at the State House aim to rectify this gap in law, establishing penalties for offenders.

The legislation, mainly sponsored by Rep. Chris Wooten (R – Lexington), addresses the serious dangers associated with non-consensual image sharing. Wooten highlights that such actions can lead to severe consequences, including incidents of sex trafficking. The new bill seeks to criminalize the intentional dissemination of intimate images or digitally altered images that closely resemble real people without their approval. This vital inclusion also extends to AI-generated images that portray identifiable individuals, reflecting the evolving landscape of technology and its implications for personal privacy.

One key aspect of the proposed legislation is the clarification that consent to create or share an intimate image does not equate to permission for further distribution. This distinction aims to protect victims from the harmful practices that can stem from the misuse of intimate images. Proponents of the bill underline that the psychological trauma inflicted on victims can be long-lasting, with severe outcomes including suicidal tendencies.

The new bill introduces substantial penalties for those found guilty of violating these laws. Convictions could result in considerable prison time, especially for offenders demonstrating malicious intent or acting for financial gain. In conjunction with this, another separate bill is being discussed, which would grant victims the right to sue individuals responsible for distributing their images, providing civil remedies alongside criminal penalties.

Support for these bills transcends party lines, with both measures receiving bipartisan backing. Recently, they successfully advanced out of a House Judiciary subcommittee, marking a significant step in the legislative process. Previous attempts to legislate against revenge porn in South Carolina have faced obstacles, with several failed initiatives over the past three years. However, the current legislative efforts have gained newfound momentum, bolstered by heightened awareness surrounding the emotional and psychological harm inflicted on victims, including notable cases such as the tragic suicide of Rep. Guffey’s son, which was linked to the practice of sextortion.

The bills recently passed the House with a striking unanimous vote of 108-0 on April 22 and are now poised for further examination by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers emphasize the urgency of moving forward with the bills before the end of the 2025 legislative session, expressing concerns about the limited time available amidst various other legislative priorities.

This watershed moment for South Carolina’s approach towards revenge porn reflects a broader shift in societal attitudes. Historically, discussions around this topic were often met with resistance, with some voices attributing blame to victims for sharing their intimate images. However, advocates for the proposed legislation believe that open conversations regarding such issues are crucial for fostering understanding and facilitating legislative success in the future.

As the legislative session progresses, the potential impact of the proposed measures could represent a significant milestone in safeguarding personal privacy and providing justice for victims of non-consensual image distribution in South Carolina.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• WLTX: South Carolina Legislative Session
• WISTV: Bill Criminalizing Revenge Porn
• Post and Courier: Revenge Porn Bill in SC
• Google Search: revenge porn
• Wikipedia: Non-consensual pornography