Rubio Bill Helps Protect Victims of Revenge Porn

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) today introduced a bill that strengthens protections for victims of revenge porn by including public displays of images that are posted without consent.  

Senate Bill 1081 helps protect victims of revenge porn by expanding the definition of “distribution” and defining what an “identifiable person” means within the statute. Existing law provides no justice to a victim who discovers intimate images publicly displayed without consent, because “display” is not included in the definition of “distribution.” The bill strengthens legislation Senator Rubio passed in 2021.

“Perpetrators are always trying to come up with new ways of harassing victims,” said Senator Rubio. “Unfortunately, victims of revenge porn are constantly humiliated and have to deal with the devastating trauma for years. This is why I passed legislation in 2021 giving victims more time to seek justice and have now introduced SB 1081. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to pass this critical measure.”

“The California District Attorneys Association recognizes and respects Senator Rubio’s innovative leadership on the important issue of revenge porn,” said Greg Totten, chief executive officer of the California District Attorneys Association. “Her SB 23 is now the law, allowing victims of revenge porn a year after they discover it to seek charges against the perpetrators. This bill clarifies what kind of publication or distribution is prohibited – and plastering a naked photo of an ex on the side of a truck is not the kind of behavior that should go unpunished. We are proud to support the bill and we thank the Senator for authoring it.”

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.

Recently, in Shasta County, a victim of revenge porn was unable to seek justice when an ex-boyfriend pasted enlarged naked pictures of his ex-girlfriend on the side of his truck and drove it all around town, because it did not meet the current statutory definition.

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.

Senator Susan Rubio represents Senate District 22. For more information, visit  https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/

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Media Contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov