Senator Rubio’s Bill Targets Revenge Porn, Gives Victims More Time to Seek Justice

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) has introduced Senate Bill 894, which will finally give victims of revenge porn more time to seek justice after they discover their personal images, which were meant to be private, were shared with others.

SB 894 will allow a victim to seek charges against the person who distributed the images by extending the statute of limitations to one year from when the victim discovers the photo.

“Victims of revenge porn are harassed and humiliated, and have to deal with the devastating trauma for years, sometimes a lifetime,” Sen. Rubio said. “Under existing law, the crime has to be prosecuted within a year from the date that the image was shared, which doesn’t allow victims enough time to seek justice if they discover it years later. This outrageous loophole protects offenders who distribute these private and personal images instead of the victims.”

“The problem of revenge porn looms large and the impact can be devastating and long-lasting on the lives of victims,” said Mark Zahner, chief executive officer of the California District Attorneys Association, which sponsored the bill.

Recently, in Tulare County, a victim of revenge porn was unable to seek justice because she discovered a private photo of her was shared online years after it was distributed.

A study by the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative found that 93% of victims suffered significant emotional distress as a result of their victimization, 51% had suicidal thoughts, and 49% stated they had been stalked or harassed online by users who saw their material.

California led the nation in 2013 when it created the misdemeanor crime of revenge porn. Since then, 46 states and Washington, DC have joined the movement to criminalize revenge porn and protect victims of this act.